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RIP Mr. Shakespeare

Bev Clark & Keith Hill

Genre: Comedy

Cast size: 8

Duration: 50 mins approx

Bev Clark & Keith Hill | Comedy | One Act | 5m, 2f, 1m/f

Short synopsis

A one-act comedy homage to Shakespeare in a stylistic piece of energetic clown theatre. It is William Shakepeare's last night but he is haunted by dreams, which soon turn into nightmares. His disgruntled servant has re-written the plays and it all becomes a comedy of errors. ‘RIP Mr Shakespeare’ is physical ensemble theatre for all ages, allowing performers to discover Shakespeare in a fun way. Winner of 7 awards at the All England Theatre and National Drama Festivals 2016.

‘RIP Mr Shakespeare’ is physical ensemble theatre for all ages, allowing performers to discover Shakespeare in a fun way.

It is the last night of his life and William Shakespeare is dreaming of a cavalcade of characters but soon dreams turn to nightmares as his disgruntled servant has re-written the plays.  Soon it all becomes a comedy of errors!

This stylised clown-theatre extravaganza incorporates quotes from over twenty of his plays, with a hint of ‘horrible histories’, ‘Monty Python’ and some circus clowning-about. Young and old will love this romp through Shakespeare. All it requires is a sprinkle of imagination, some glitter and sawdust and you will have a magical journey through the pages of his canon.

From ‘Macbeth’ to ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ … fifty minutes of exuberating fun, colour and music. This award-winning script allows an ensemble cast (minimum of 8) to bring their energy, inspiration and originality to The Bard, as it has never been seen before.

Winner of The Leverhulme Drama Festival Best Play, Best Comedy Performance, Winner of AETF semi-finals and ‘Exceptional Creativity’ at the AETF Grand Finals.

(5m, 2f, 1m/f)

  • William Shakespeare
  • The Servant (m/f)

The company of clowns who should choose their own names and style:-

  • Clown 1 - dominant, assured, sophisticated, a natural leader, rather pompous (m)
  • Clown 2 - burly, brawny, potentially intimidating but a bit of a softy, a henchman not a leader (m)
  • Clown 3 - physical, edgy, energetic, emotional, sensitive (m)
  • Clown 4 - romantic, suave but also capable of being a cad and condescending (m)
  • Clown 5 - mature, maternal, kindly, has a sense of decorum (f)
  • Clown 6 - relatively young, saucy, precocious but naïve and dizzy (f)

This is a suggestion. Characters in the company of clowns can be flexible and lines of dialogue can be swapped between characters. The cast can be larger than 8 but it would be difficult to play with less.

Winner of The Leverhulme Drama Festival Best Play, Best Comedy Performance, Winner of AETF semi-finals and ‘Exceptional Creativity’ at the AETF Grand Finals.

Free

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RIP Mr. Shakespeare

Free
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