MAY 2–JUNE 3, 2018 PRODUCTION OF BASED ON THE SCREENPLAY BY MARC NORMAN & TOM STOPPARD ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY LEE HALL MUSIC BY PADDY CUNNEEN Originally produced on the West End by Disney Theatrical Productions & Sonia Friedman Productions, directed by Declan Donnellan, and designed by Nick Ormerod DIRECTED BY GEORGE MOUNT All original material copyright © Seattle Shakespeare Company 2018 Welcome Dear Educators, Welcome to the final production of our indoor 2017-2018 season! This production is unusual for us, in that it was written in the 1990’s for the screen, and was adapted for the stage. It’s rare for Seattle Shakespeare Company to perform such a new play, but at the same time, this show is a great fit for us. It’s a fictional story about our favorite playwright, and it’s full of references to Shakespeare’s works, which will challenge any superfan to find all of the quotes and allusions to other plays. This spring, many arts organizations are participating in the “Seattle Celebrates Shakespeare” festival by putting on works by and inspired by William Shakespeare. Here at Seattle Shakespeare Company we always celebrate Shakespeare, and so we decided to put on this modern classic that speculates about his life and love, of which so little is really known. This is a great show both for students studying Shakespeare for the first time, and students reading their second or third play by the Bard. Thank you as always for bringing your students to Seattle Shakespeare Company! We hope that you enjoy this sort of love letter to Shakespeare. Best, Michelle Burce Education Director seattleshakespeare.org/education 206-733-8228 ext. 251 or [email protected] Production Sponsors Contents Plot and Characters 1 Articles Theater Audiences: Then and Now 2 Women On Stage in Renaissance England 3–4 Shakespeare’s Life up to Shakespeare in Love 4 Love in the Time of Collar Ruffs 5 At a Glance References to Shakespeare’s Plays 6 Cameos from History 7–8 Cameos from Shakespeare’s Plays 8 Reflection & Discussion Questions 9 Our Production 10 Activities Cross the Line: Quotes 11 Historical Fiction 12 Plot and Characters Plot Synopsis Will Shakespeare, poet and playwright Courtesy of Utah Shakespeare Festival Kit Marlowe, colleague, friend, and inspiration Young Will Shakespeare has writer’s block and needs some Henslowe, owner and manager of the Rose Theatre inspiration. His ideas for his new comedy, Romeo and Ethel Richard Burbage, lead actor of the Chamberlain’s Men the Pirate’s Daughter, are less than genius and the owner of Mistress Quickly, wardrobe mistress the theatre is under scrutiny from the producer, to whom Ned Alleyn, lead actor of the Admiral’s Men he owes money. Meanwhile, across town, a rival theatre Sam & Peter, actors performs Will’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and heaven Ralph, Nol, Robin, & Adam, novice actors forbid, they added a dog, all without his permission! Wabash, novice actor, Henslowe’s stammering tailor Molly & Kate, tavern staff The high-spirited young lady, Viola De Lesseps, who knows John Webster, street urchin, aspires to be a player Will’s work very well, wishes to be on the stage. This, of course, is against the law in Elizabethan England, but it Queen Elizabeth I doesn’t stop her from trying. Disguised as a young man and Edmund Tilney, the Lord Chamberlain going by the name Thomas Kent, Viola attends auditions for Viola De Lesseps, disguises herself as Thomas Kent Will’s next play, the very one he is struggling to finish. Nurse, a servant to Viola Viola returns home to prepare for the ball being hosted Sir Robert De Lesseps, Viola’s father by the De Lesseps household and discovers her father has Catling, guard at De Lesseps Hall arranged a marriage for her to a Lord Wessex, a wealthy Lord Wessex, betrothed to Viola Virginia plantation owner. Fennyman, a theatre financer Lambert & Frees, Fennyman’s henchmen Will and his playwright friend Christopher Marlowe come to her house looking for “Master Kent” to offer him the lead Musicians, Dog, Waiter, Barman, Guards, Boatman of Romeo in his play, and are invited to come in to the ball. Here Will sees Viola for the first time, and soon a scene similar she must go with Wessex to receive the Queen’s approval for to the initial meeting of Romeo and Juliet takes place. Will’s their marriage. Once at court, the Queen examines Viola and sudden attention to Viola offends Lord Wessex, and when privately tells Wessex she can tell Viola has another lover. In asked for his name, Will introduces himself as Marlowe. his anger, he assumes it is Marlowe and goes after him. Later, Viola’s nurse delivers Will’s message to Viola about her As things continue to fall apart, one of Will’s rivals claims he getting the role in the play but warns that acting will not end has rights to the Romeo and Juliet manuscript and attempts well for her. Marlowe accompanies Will to Viola’s balcony, to get it away from the cast during a rehearsal. Will’s company and a Romeo-and-Juliet-like balcony scene unfolds as Will manages to hold on to it, but as they celebrate, Viola/Kent discovers new-found inspiration. The nurse discovers Will discovers Will has an estranged wife and two children. She before he escapes, but now the household is onto him — but runs out, leaving the group to mourn over the sudden news by the name Marlowe. that Marlowe was just stabbed to death across town. Rehearsals begin the next day and Viola (as Kent) plays Drunk and stirred up, Wessex finds Viola distraught in her Romeo. As they continue, the story gradually changes from bedroom and breaks the news of “her” playwright’s death. She one about Romeo and a pirate’s daughter to one with a love faints, believing he means Will; but when Will enters looking interest named Juliet. for Viola, Wessex flees thinking him the ghost of Marlowe. Wessex visits Viola and informs her of their impending marriage Similarly to the ending of Romeo and Juliet, Will sees Viola and and journey to Virginia. Though it breaks her heart, Viola sends pleads if she be dead, that he die too. Fortunately she awakes word to Will that he must not visit her again because it is too at his kiss and they work through their misunderstandings. dangerous. Will follows Kent from rehearsal and divulges his However, more troubles await at the theatre. The Queen’s desperate love for Viola. He soon discovers Viola’s disguise, and chamberlain declares it closed for allowing a female to act on they come together in passion for each other. the stage. With so many disruptions, what happens now to Will’s new play and where will the players go? How can Will Will tries to convince Viola to run away with him instead of and Viola be together now with her wedding approaching? marrying Wessex. She knows she can never do this, and that What does Will’s future hold? Seattle Shakespeare Company 1 Articles Theater Audiences: Then & Now Audiences in Shakespeare’s time behaved much differently than what we think of today when we go to the theater. In general, audiences were much more rowdy and directly involved in the show than modern audiences. London theaters like the Globe could accommodate up to 3,000 people watching popular plays. With theaters running most afternoons, that could mean as many as 10,000–20,000 people could see a play every week! Shakespeare’s audience included the very rich, the upper-middle class, and the lower- middle class. People sought entertainment just as we do today A performance of King Lear at the new Globe Theatre in London. and could afford to spend money going to the theater. Royalty might attend the theater in a private gallery or summon the Audiences today can learn from Elizabethan audiences about players to perform at their court, as Elizabeth I and James I did. how to watch a Shakespeare play. Here are some tips: To get into the Globe Theatre cost a penny. In Elizabethan • Remind yourself that the first scene mostly sets the mood of England, one penny would buy a loaf of bread, a pint of ale, or a the play and rarely has vital dialogue, so if you miss some of ticket to the theater. Those who paid just one penny were known the words at the beginning, that is okay. It can take a couple as “groundlings,” because they stood on the ground in what was minutes to adjust to Shakespeare’s unusual language. It’s a known as “the yard,” which is the area closest to the stage. For little bit like listening to a friend with a heavy accent speak; at another penny, they could sit on a bench just behind the yard. For first it can be difficult to understand, but after a minute or two a penny more, they could sit more comfortably on a cushion. To it’s easy. Our actors are professionally trained to make sure get into the upper galleries, which were covered and had seats, that you understand the words, so you’ll catch on quickly! cost would start at 6 pence. • Enjoy the play and feel free to express your enjoyment. Since there was no electricity, both the stage and the audience Laugh at the clowns, clap for the heroes, gasp at important were in broad daylight, allowing actors and audience members revelations, and applaud for the actors at the end to thank to see each other and interact.