Plays were written to be performed, and if they’re only read, many nuances can and will be missed. Shakespeare in particular uses many different language techniques to emphasise status in characters. For example, Juliet, Lady & Lord Capulet and Tybalt all speak in iambic pentameter. The Nurse however speaks in prose throughout the play – this can easily be missed if only reading and not experiencing the play.

Iambic pentameter in itself can be difficult to spot and understand if you have never heard or spoken the rhythm – (Much Ado does a short exercise with the students as part of our workshops to help them spot it in the text. We also cover tetrameter and prose and how it relates to status.)
So when you can see it in front of you on stage it suddenly becomes very obvious and, to top it off, iambic pentameter helps you understand the text. As it’s very rhythmical you can almost guess what the next line will be (similar to when you’re listening to a song) which means it will be easier to remember.

As well as the language, there are suggestions and jokes that only make sense when you see the play in the original costume and setting.
For example, when the Montague boys are teasing Romeo for disappearing after the Capulet’s masquerade ball, the Nurse appears behind them and Romeo exclaims:
‘A sail, a sail!’
This didn’t make any sense until seen in full costume:

 He’s making a joke about her habit looking like a ship’s sail, and presumably being rude about her size.

Shakespeare is full of these references that can add depth and understanding to exam and course work answers, as it shows understanding of the context and language being used.