Over the years I&#x27;ve seen (heard) a lot of Shakespeare plays, and I mostly agree with you.  Yes, just reading the play is inadequate because the written form is so bare.  Attending a live performance is a much better experience.  The dialog is meant to be spoken and to be heard.<p>What I do recommend, and is my own practice, is reading the play <i>before</i> going to the performance.  We are especially blessed to read Shakespeare today, the internet is so very helpful.  So many versions of every Shakespeare play, most have annotations about Elizabethan language that help the reader make sense of it.<p>Reading AOT makes it much easier to follow what&#x27;s happening on stage.  Even small local productions can be done well, Shakespearean plays were always meant as entertainment, go and enjoy!<p>I think you are right about the classification of the plays, Comedy, Tragedy, etc, don&#x27;t necessarily fit our modern sensibilities.  In Shakespeare&#x27;s time, &quot;Merchant of Venice&quot; was called a &quot;comedy&quot;, but in our era we&#x27;d say it&#x27;s more tragic than not.  I&#x27;d agree familiarity with the play is more important than its categorization.