Treatment for shell-shock among the rank and file of the British Army was swift and merciless. John Oliver's play revolves around a group of people whose lives are deeply affected, and highlighting how all parties were trapped victims of this sorry chapter in our military history.
John Oliver always writes with a passion and conviction, plus an uncanny ability to convey a sense of time and place, leading the audience through all aspects of the subject from the madness and cruelty of war, the anger and petty bigotry at home to all things remotely seen as German, or the merest hint of cowardice, to the vulnerability of human relationships. (Shropshire Star)
Single interior
First world war
ISBN 1 904232 32 9
‘A Folio of Shakespeare’s plays! Are you mad? Who will buy such a thing?’
Characters
William Shakespeare, Aged 52 And Close To Death
A Stonemason - Any Age
The Ghost Of William Shakespeare, 52 And Dead
John Heminges, (Joint Editor Of The 1623 First Folio), Aged 40-50
Henry Condell, (Joint Editor Of The 1623 First Folio), Aged 40-50
Rebecca, (Heminges’ Wife), Aged 30-40
William Jaggard, (Printer Of The First Folio), Aged 40-50
Isaac Jaggard, (His Son), Aged 25-30
Edward Blount, (Publisher Of The First Folio), Aged 40-50
John Shakespeare, (Master Printer/compositor), Aged 35-45
John Leason, (Apprentice), Aged 17-20 - (Cockney Accent)
Miranda, (Leason’s Girlfriend), Aged 17-20 - (Cockney Accent)
Guide, (A Young, Female, American Tourist Guide), Aged 17-20
Henry Clay Folger, (19th Century American Collector Of First Folios), Aged 30 And 50
Emily Folger, (Folger’s Wife), Aged 30 And 50
Posh Woman, Any Age
Anne Hathaway, (William Shakespeare’s Wife), Aged 50
Newspaper Seller, Any Age
Man, Any Age
The printing of Shakespeare’s first folio in 1623 - the first Complete Works - and Shakespeare’s iconic status, is due in no small part to the men who gave up years of their lives to produce the book, now one of the most important works in Western literature. Yet, do we remember any of the people involved? Did it prove to be a worthwhile project for them? Did it bring them fame and fortune? Ans what of their families who suffered whilst their loved ones gave hour after hour to this difficult and complex project?
This play considers all these questions.
Performed at The Other Place in the RSC Fringe Festival of 2001
This is a play not merely to be seen, but experienced
Cast
Effie a housekeeper
Jamie her son
Amy a nurse
Sam a doctor
Mattey his daughter
Clifford her friend
The action takes place in the sitting room of a home in Shrewsbury during World War I
A period drama by John Oliver
Nay, Remember me!
By Amelia Marriette
