The Beard of Avon
Encyclopedia
The Beard of Avon is a play by Amy Freed
, originally commissioned and produced by South Coast Repertory
in 2001.
In the play, Shakspere (Freed chose this spelling for her character) abandons his wife Anne Hathaway
in Stratford-on-Avon after a visit from a touring company of players. He makes his way to London
, determined to be an actor
, and seeks out the theater troupe. After an audition scene that is a sendup of how directors and actors can treat one another, he is offered a silent "spear shaker" role. Through the troupe, Shakspere meets Edward de Vere, who, as a nobleman, would be ostracized if it were discovered that he writes plays for performances by commoners before the public. A deal is struck and a writing partnership is formed — to which Shakspere will eventually make considerable contributions.
Link to San Francisco Chronice revirew of American Conservatory Theatre 2001 production: http://articles.sfgate.com/2002-01-18/entertainment/17526712_1_freed-geary-theater-act-s-conservatory
Amy Freed
Amy Freed is an American playwright. She was nominated as a finalist in the drama category of the 1998 Pulitzer Prizes for her play Freedomland. In addition to Freedomland, she is the author of The Beard of Avon , The Psychic Life of Savages, and other plays...
, originally commissioned and produced by South Coast Repertory
South Coast Repertory
South Coast Repertory is a professional theatre company located in Costa Mesa, California.Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory, founded in 1964 by David Emmes and Martin Benson and now under the leadership of Artistic Director Marc Masterson and Managing Director Paula Tomei, is widely...
in 2001.
In the play, Shakspere (Freed chose this spelling for her character) abandons his wife Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway (Shakespeare)
Anne Hathaway was the wife of William Shakespeare. They were married in 1582. She outlived her husband by seven years...
in Stratford-on-Avon after a visit from a touring company of players. He makes his way to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, determined to be an actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, and seeks out the theater troupe. After an audition scene that is a sendup of how directors and actors can treat one another, he is offered a silent "spear shaker" role. Through the troupe, Shakspere meets Edward de Vere, who, as a nobleman, would be ostracized if it were discovered that he writes plays for performances by commoners before the public. A deal is struck and a writing partnership is formed — to which Shakspere will eventually make considerable contributions.
Link to San Francisco Chronice revirew of American Conservatory Theatre 2001 production: http://articles.sfgate.com/2002-01-18/entertainment/17526712_1_freed-geary-theater-act-s-conservatory