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FROM SHAKESPEARE WITH LOVE? |
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HOW TO ORDER A READING COPY OF FROM SHAKESPEARE WITH LOVE? |
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FROM SHAKESPEARE WITH LOVE? is licensed by Eldridge Publishing. To request a perusal copy or performance rights, visit the Eldridge website at www.histage.com, email them at [email protected], or call toll free (from the US) at 1-800-HI-STAGE. |
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SYNOPSIS |
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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. |
| CAST OF CHARACTERS |
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ROMEO (also Puck, Bottom, Dromio) TITANIA (also Adriana, Olivia) ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE (also Oberon, Friar Laurence, Priest) VIOLA (also Luciana, Juliet) These roles, designed to be multiple cast, can be played by individual actors to expand the size of the cast. |
| A BIT OF THE BARD |
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(The present. One in the morning. An airport gate. Four passengers wait amidst their bags for their plane: ROMEO, unconsciously shredding a tissue; TITANIA, reading a fashion magazine; ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE, pacing back and forth; and VIOLA, listening to a Walkman. A sign says “London—Delayed.”) ROMEO Juliet! Juliet! (He falls onto the floor and sobs.) TITANIA Titania. My name is Titania. ROMEO I loved Juliet. And now she’s dead. TITANIA As long as she doesn’t fly in first class. ROMEO (shakes his head) She’s dead back in Italy. TITANIA Anybody have a hankie for . . . ROMEO Romeo. TITANIA Anybody have a hankie for Romeo? He lost Juliet! (Antipholus stops pacing and pulls a handkerchief from his pocket.) ROMEO Thanks. ANTIPHOLUS I lost my older brother, Antipholus of Ephesus, for almost twenty-five years. We got separated during a shipwreck. TITANIA (aside to Antipholus) She’s— (Titania makes the sign for dead, perhaps the finger sliding across her throat.) ANTIPHOLUS Oh. I’m so sorry. TITANIA You said you’re from Ephesus? ANTIPHOLUS Syracuse originally. I live in Ephesus now. Where I found my twin brother. TITANIA I think we stopped at both on my Mediterranean cruise. (Romeo renews his bawling.) ANTIPHOLUS Any idea if this plane is boarding soon? (Viola overhears and comes over.) VIOLA It hasn’t even landed yet. (eyeing Romeo) Is he going to be all right? TITANIA I hope so. I don’t know if I can take this for an entire flight. VIOLA Who is Juliet? ANTIPHOLUS Was. VIOLA Who was Juliet?
Wife? Girlfriend? Mother? VIOLA I don’t think it’s his mother. ANTIPHOLUS (to Romeo) Who was Juliet? ROMEO Juliet is the sun. (as if he sees Juliet) Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she. Be not her maid, since she is envious; Her vestal livery is but sick and green, And none but fools do wear it; cast it off. It is my lady, O, it is my love! TITANIA I’m starting to get a picture. ROMEO She hangs upon the cheek of night As a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear— Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! VIOLA He’s so in love. TITANIA With a dead girl. Romeo, it’s not healthy. WANT TO READ MORE? |