Play Reading in English – "I Am Shakespeare" By Mark Rylance

In the quatercentenary year of Shakespeare’s death, we will read a play that whimsically questions the great man’s identity. I Am Shakespeare is stellar actor Mark Rylance's fascinating, witty and characteristically exuberant dramatic contribution to the Shakespeare authorship debate. Is it possible that the son of an illiterate tradesman, from a small market town in Warwickshire, could have written the greatest dramatic works the world has ever seen? It's a question that has puzzled scholars, theatre practitioners and theatregoers for many years. The philosopher, Francis Bacon; the Earl of Oxford, Edward De Vere; and Mary Sidney, Countess of Pembroke: all of them have been put forward as the real author of the plays. But why would they hide behind an anonymous actor? Who was the real Bard of Stratford? Mark Rylance is one of a number of leading actors who seriously question the idea that William Shakespeare was the man behind the thirty-seven plays that have moved, inspired and amazed generations. To Rylance’s credit his play is balanced and humorous, even though he espouses the so-called ‘anti-Stratfordian’ position in the debate.

First performed at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2007, Rylance's provocative play introduces us to the main candidates and their respective claims whilst asking fundamental questions about what makes a genius, and why it all matters anyway. First performed at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2007, Rylance’s provocative play introduces us to four candidates and their respective claims – whilst asking fundamental questions about what makes a genius, and why it all matters anyway. In a self-mocking spirit, the former artistic director of the Globe plays a twitchy obsessive called Frank Charlton, who, operating from a garden shed, runs a cranky website devoted to challenging received wisdoms about the Bard - not that anyone in the world appears to be logging on to watch his DIY TV show!There's the old snob objection: how could someone with no university education be such an expert in so many branches of learning? Then there are some scholarly snippets. Why are there so many apparent parallels between the writings of Francis Bacon and some of the proverbs and sayings in Shakespeare's plays? Why was Edward De Vere apparently known for comedies that were never performed? And could not Mary Sidney (sister of poet Philip), who promoted an English literary renaissance, also represent the "Swan of Avon” figure? Plenty of food for thought and plenty of controversy! To read one acerbic response from the pro-Stratfordian side, click the link below:

http://bardfilm.blogspot.hk/2015/03/book-note-i-am-shakespeare.html

Facilitators: Mike Ingham and Julian Quail

Photo Credit:

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