The inspirational “Dead Poet’s Society” is set to be given a fresh lease of life thanks to a revamp by the man who penned the original 1989 Film. Many will remember how the late Robin Williams brought the role of John Keating to life on the silver screen and now Tom Schulman hopes for a similar outcome when his latest adaptation for Off-Broadway opens in October.
New lease of life
The new stage adaptation is to feature in Off-Broadway’s non-profit Classic Stage Company’s upcoming season of plays, with Artistic DirectorJohn Doyle set to direct the production.
The new season in New York will also include productions of David Ives’ “The Liar” and the Stephen Sondheim musical “Pacific Overtures”.
Academy Award and BAFTA recognition
Schulman has become best-known for his association with the “Dead Poets” project, the 65-year-old American screenwriter having written the semi-autobiographical screenplay on which the film was based. Critics responded well to the text at the time, bestowing the Best Original Screenplay Academy Award for 1989 on the film.
It was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture (losing out to “Driving Miss Daisy”) and Best Director (Peter Weir lost out to Oliver Stone) in the same year, but did at least claim BAFTA’s Best Film prize.
Williams’ Oscar nomination
Williams’s fabulous turn also merited a nomination in the Best Actor category at the Academy Awards but – as many have found down the years – he was edged out by another emotional display provided from the indefatigable Daniel Day-Lewis (“My Left Foot”).
Tragic death of the star
Williams of course will not be able to provide his own thoughts and critique on the new project, the comedic genius sadly having passed away in 2014.
Despite success in front of the cameras, he was believed to have suffered severe bouts of depression in the period leading up to taking his own life by hanging. It was later revealed that the acting star had been diagnosed with the early stages of the degenerative disorder Parkinson’s Disease.
Infectious energy of Williams
The original film was highlighted by his infectious zest for the fictional role, impeccably portraying an English teacher determined to make his students challenge conformity at the private Welton Academy.
Keating sought to provide inspiration for their fledgling but conservatively honed minds, seeking to bring out the individuality and purpose inside each of them through the medium of poetry.
For a man whose comedy career was typified by his high-energy performances, the role was almost tailor-made and as a result the work is commonly regarded as one of Williams best film displays and certainly among his most beloved.
