Bagby ‘Beowulf’ on NPR
Benjamin Bagby appeared today on the National Public Radio program Here and Now. The occasion was the release of his Beowulf performance on DVD.
According to the host, the performance is a show-stopper, with audiences hanging on every word. Bagby discusses returning the piece from written to oral tradition, and how the mentality is rooted in the tribal past. Of course, there are some vivid sound clips. You can hear the interview here.
Scott on 09 May 2007 at 4:48 pm #
I got to see Mr. Bagby perform Beowulf earlier this year. What an amazing experience. Because of seeing his performance I now have a different understanding of the exchange between Unferth and Beowulf. See the DVD for what I mean.
I also have the DVD and it is great. But if you, anyone you know or any of your readers get a chance to see him perform this do not walk but run to do so.
The DVD is lit brighter (for reasons of filming). But when I saw him it was an almost black stage with a bit of amber light coming up at him from the stage. The narration/sub titles were projected on a black screen behind him. A truely moving experience.