After their in-performance deaths, six Shakespearean characters find themselves in a holding area until the play they are a character in gets revived by another Shakespeare company so that they can (re)live their tragedy over (andover) again. It’s a comic romp that evokes Jean-Paul Sartre’s“No Exit” meets Luigi Pirandello’s “Six Characters in Search of an Author” meets “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.”
Character List
(7 Actors) Flexible, non-gender specific casting.Ages provided in character descriptions for reference only.
HAMLET From the play Hamlet. Teens to 40s. Impassioned, serious. Bleeding from his shoulder because of a rapier wound; sickly complexion from poison. Still has his rapier.
CAESAR From the play Julius Caesar. 30s to 60s. Prim, judgmental. Numerous knives (as few as 8, as many as 23) sticking out of his back from the assassination. Has an interdental lisp. Carries an ornamental staff to indicate his leadership.
DIRECTOR 20s to 60s. Affected, British accent. Pretentious and lofty. Carries a clipboard and pen.
OTHELLO From the play Othello. 30s to 60s. Grandiose, remorseful. Sword through his belly of his own doing. Carries a handkerchief with strawberries embroidered on it.
ROMEO From the play Romeo and Juliet. Teens to 30s. Dashing, idealistic. Sickly complexion from poison.
RICHARD From the play Richard III. 30s to 60s. Whiny, petulant. Sword in his back. Still has his own sword.
MACBETH From the play Macbeth. 30s to 60s. Regretful, humiliated. Decapitated by Macduff. Carries his head cradled in his hands which he operates as a puppeteer would.
Author
A North Carolina native, David Overton is the founder and Artistic Director of Long Island Classics Stage Company in Centerport, New York where he primarily works with young actors on performing the works of Shakespeare and developing their transferable life skills for stellar social interaction. He has over 25 years experience teaching high school and college-aged students and is currently on faculty at New York City .... [FULL BIO]
Holiday Play!
Comedy, 20-40 minutes
The equal prequel to DEAD DUDES, this piece goes perfectly with it, for an evening of delight for your audience!
After their in-performance deaths, six female Shakespearean characters find themselves in a holding area until the play they are a character in gets revived by another Shakespeare company so that they can (re)live their tragedy over (and over) again. It’s a comic romp that evokes Jean-Paul Sartre’s “No Exit” meets Luigi Pirandello’s “Six Characters in Search of an Author” meets “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.”