Seeing it, with all the stage business, motions and facial expressions, as well as timbre and pitch of voice and expression, is soooo different than reading it to yourself.

True! And the director's vision, staging and casting - all of this, and so much more, add to the interpretation, of course. I remember practically falling out of my seat laughing at Falstaff in Henry V in a memorable production at the Guthrie Theater in Mpls, MN.

Or maybe it was Henry the IV - anyway, I had no idea he was such a funny character until I saw the play.

lemonhead/Liz, I am surprised you weren't exposed to 'live' Shakespeare at your English school. When we did O and A level English the whole class was taken to theatre productions of the relevant plays.
I remember an interesting performance of Twelth Night in one of the last galleried inns in the country, where we, the 'groundlings' sat in the centre of the courtyard while the actors performed on the different levels of the landings around and above us . . . much as would have happened in Shakespeare's early days before theatres were built.
The photo below show the inn (built c.1470) in about 1900. By the time I visited it the galleries had been reopened.

Of course having been brought up in Stratford I was spoilt by seeing Shakespeare performed by some of the best actors in the world, many years before I read any of the plays and although I didn't always understand or enjoy what I was then watching, it did stick in the mind.

Here is a link that might be useful: galleried inn

We have an annual Shakespeare Festival in Williamsburg, VA near where I live. I never could read and enjoy any of the Bard's plays while in school, but seeing the vibrant performances in this theatre really made the poetic elements and the humor come alive for me.

My first intro to the Bard was at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego, which actually burned down just like the real Globe theater...and was rebuilt "in the Spring." Our high school drama class would act as ushers at the summer plays, so we got to see lots of wonderful productions. I always loved the comedies -- no surprise. My favorite - aside from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" -- was always "As You Like It."

And yes, I definitely think seeing a play improves one's understanding.

Louisville also has Shakespeare in the Park in the summers. It's been a while, but I did see and enjoy some performances.

When I was in school, we were told that Shakespeare was meant to be viewed, not read. "This stuff is funny, class!" In another class, the teacher assigned us to go see a movie of King Lear at an art theater.

I agree, seeing the plays makes all the difference.

Vee - You're right -- we were exposed to theatrical productions of Shakespeare's plays in my school-age years, but mostly Midsummer Night's Dream and King Lear. I remember going to London to see a play but it was wasted on me as a teenager. Much more interesting in shopping and socializing with my friends than watching Shakespeare. Shame really as if I recall correctly, it was at the National Theater so it would have been a good production.

liz