ABOUT THE PLAY

Comedy. 2 males, 2 females. These roles, designed to be multiple cast, can be played by individual actors to expand the size of the cast up to 7-8 males, 6 females. 35-40 minutes. Suggested set.

From Shakespeare With Love? was originally commissioned under the title Shakespeare In Love? by the Walnut Street Theatre Outreach Program to tour to junior and senior high schools. Comments from the Walnut Street Theatre tour:

"A delightful romp . . . It provided [our students] with enough content to make them want to further explore the literature depicted in the play."
"Excellent, very funny."
"Each Spring, we do a Shakespeare play for the Chester County Shakespeare Festival . . . your wonderful SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE? is an inspiration for the students."

SYNOPSIS
Four of the Bard’s characters wait for an overdue flight to London. When Romeo reveals that he plans to revenge himself upon Shakespeare, who he blames for ruining his life, by killing him in a duel. The others—Titania, Viola and Antipholus—try to save Shakespeare by convincing Romeo that Shakespeare “does indeed love love.” To do so, they recall scenes (excerpts from the actual Shakespearean plays) that show Shakespeare’s playful side. Titania, for example, falls in love with Bottom (who wears the donkey head) after Oberon, her estranged husband, enchants her. Antipholus shows Romeo the confusion that occurs when he is mistaken for his twin brother—by his brother’s wife. Viola dressed as a man, must carry a Duke’s message of love to another woman—even though Viola has fallen in love with the Duke herself. At the very last moment, they succeed in convincing Romeo to spare Shakespeare, and all’s well that ends well.

A BIT OF THE BARD

Visit ProPlay and read the first half of the script!