Mark Twain’s Is Shakespeare Dead?
Mark Twain’s Is Shakespeare Dead?
By Keir Cutler
Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Red Venue
I don’t have a dog in this fight, but more than a few people I know do. Mr. Cutler returns to the Orlando Fringe with his professorial style and a large bust from FamouseDeadPeopleStatues.com. He’s in the bully pulpit tonight; this show plunges into the minefield of “Did Shakespeare really write Shakespeare?” There are as many books on this touchy topic pro as there are con, and tonight he takes a firm stand in the camp of “No He Didn’t”. The arguments are compelling, Shakespeare’s apparent illiterate will (no books mentioned in an era when books were expensive), no chance for him to master all the technical skills mentioned in his plays, and the plentitude of other more likely candidates contemporary with Old Will who did have all these skills. It’s an interesting show, but like any gospel lesson there’s no examination of the contrary position “Shakespeare might have actually written Shakespeare’s Canon.” It’s a cool introduction if you’ve not explored this dusty corner of English lit, and a reaffirmation of what you believe if you’re a fan of Francis Bacon.
This production is part of the 2014 Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival. Information on tickets and show times may be found at http://OrlandoFringe.org/
