
William Shakespeare: An Invention in Four Acts
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By:
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Clemence Dane
About this listen
Performed by The Online Stage
This play is a fictionalized account of the life of William Shakespeare, beginning from his humble origins in Stratford-upon-Avon with his wife, Anne Hathaway, to his life as a successful playwright in London. This play uses several biographical speculations about Shakespeare's life to tell a fascinating tale, such as his relationship with his wife (to whom he famously left his "second-best bed" in his will), his friendship with fellow playwright and competitor Christopher Marlowe, his interactions with Queen Elizabeth I, and even an extramarital dalliance with the queen's maid of honor, the two-timing temptress Mary Fitton (who is speculated to be the "Dark Lady" to whom Shakespeare refers in his sonnets).
Clemence Dane is the nom de plume of Winifred Ashton, an English novelist and playwright, who is best known for her novel Regiment of Women and once won an Academy Award for best story.
Cast:
Narrator - Anna Grace
William Shakespeare - Tom Saer
Anne Hathaway - Grace Garrett
Christopher Marlowe - Andy Harrington
Mary Fitton - Leanne Yau
Queen Elizabeth - Linda Barrans
Mrs. Hathaway - Sarah Mitchell
Henslowe - Alan Weyman
Child - Becca Maggie
Landlord - Graham Scott
Hawker - Craig Franklin
Drinking Man - Mark Crowle-Groves
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