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The Shakespeare Conspiracy

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  8w, 8m

Andrew Shepherd

Dive into a most lamentable, epic, comic, romantic tragic comedy in a world where Shakespeare’s heroes and villains have been waging a secret war, after being inexplicably being brought to life over 400 years ago.

The Shakespeare Conspiracy

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    8w, 8m
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Farce, Mystery/Thriller
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences

Details

Summary

Shakespeare’s characters are real…

The RSC is a branch of the government (a bit like MI6 but with better costumes).

Iago is trying to destroy the world…

And mankind’s last hope is a travel agent called Martin.

Dive into a most lamentable, epic, comic, romantic tragic comedy in a world where Shakespeare’s heroes and villains have been waging a secret war, after being inexplicably being brought to life over 400 years ago. If the rules of theatre are broken, it will bring about the end of the world. It all hinges on a prophecy about The Last Descendant, who has no idea about any of this until the night he meets a girl at a party…

History
The Shakespeare Conspiracy was first performed over the course of two productions at Chelsea Theatre, London in June 2011 and November 2012.
MARTIN SHAKESPEARE – A travel agent
VALENTINE – Martin’s best friend
JULES – An agent for the RSC
TYBALT – A hitman
GARFIELD OBERON – Artistic Director of the RSC
PUCK – An agent for the RSC
(ALOYSIUS ARCHIBALD) IAGO – An evil genius
EDMUND BASTARD SON OF GLOUCESTER – A bastard
LADY (ANTONIA) MACBETH – Iago’s sister
RICHARD III – Lady Macbeth’s son
BENEDICK – An agent for the RSC
BEATRICE – An agent for the RSC
HELENA – From A Midsummer Night’s Dream
THREE SISTERS – From Macbeth (Also playing Partygoers/Agents/
Prison Guards/Trainees)
VILLAINS & HEROES – Played by members of the cast

Please cast as inclusively, imaginatively and openly as you want. Roles can be doubled/tripled dependent on your budget.

  • Setting The “Real world” is set in modern times.
    The “Theatre world” is timeless.

Media

“A two-act whirlwind of a twisting plot that would keep you guessing.” — A Younger Theatre

“Full of twists and turns.” — Frost Magazine

“It’s a play of genius — dissecting sinews of Shakespeare and his approach to the contemporary theatre of his own day.” — Man in London

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

Reimagining Shakespeare for the Modern Stage: Q&A with Author Andrew Shepherd
Matt Law
September 20, 2022

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:
Get the Script

Authors

Andrew Shepherd

Andrew Shepherd

Andrew Shepherd put his law degree to good use by training at LAMDA as an actor. His first full-length play, Therapy, was part of Newcastle University’s takeover of Northern Stage’s Guilbenkian Studio in 2000, and his Edinburgh Fringe debut, Whispers in the Wood, transferred ...

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