The Dionysian Institute recently release a study suggesting a strong correlation between the consumption of alcohol and speaking in proper iambic pentameter. Specifically alcohol made from barley. Thats right. Beer.
Iambic meter is considered by some scholars to be the natural cadence of the english language. The word "iambic" refers to the type of foot that is used, known as the iamb, which in English is an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. The word "pentameter" indicates that a line has five of these “feet”. Where this gets exciting, is with performing Shakespeare. William Shakespeare’s work is written mostly in verse, using a strict iambic pentameter. So there is now a direct correlation to drinking beer and being a better Classic Performer.
Joshua Stodart is a Toronto base Shakespearian Actor and Director. Not only is he known for his work with AleHouse Theatre, a company devoted to Shakespeare and Beer, but he is also the two-time champion of the Toronto based competition: Shakesbeers Showdown, and event run by Spur-of-the-Moment Shakespeare Collective, which involves gifted classical performers from all over Ontario. “It's an uncomfortable throne to sit upon. The events that set us up here are questionable at best. I feel like Prospero.. Someone else take it and let us work on the bettering of our minds so we can... uh... oh wait... throw it all away?” says Stodart, now worried this discovery may have given away the secret to his success. When asked if he fears that world renown Shakespearian actors like Sir Patrick Stuart, Sir Ian McKellen or Dame Helen Mirren, might start using this technique, Stodart curiously made no remark. Later Stodart said “…I’m trying to not truly think about any of these questions so I can focus only on beating my former self”.
The next Shakesbeers Showdown is yet to be announced. However, now knowing the Dionysian Institute’s latest discovery, academics from around the world are watching to learn the result of this year’s competition. I say: Until then, let’s have a pint for the Bard!