It's a battle of Wills at Harborough Theatre
A theatrical figure from the Elizabethan era named Will is at the centre of a play coming to Market Harborough – but it may not the Will one might expect.
The one-man show, called Death of a Clown, is set in the year 1600 – and one-time theatrical superstar Will Kemp is down on his luck. Reduced to long-distance morris dancing as a publicity stunt, there's only one person to blame: Will Shakespeare, the other Will.
The play invites audiences into the world of Elizabethan theatre to discover the untold story of Will Kemp, the ‘original Falstaff’, Shakespeare's clown, and a man who danced his way into legend. Brought to life by production company Theatre 17, Death of a Clown promises a captivating blend of humour, history and live music, taking theatregoers on a journey from the heights of success at the Globe Theatre to the lowest of low taverns in Thetford.
Death of a Clown is written by Kevin Buxton and Robin Hillman, with Robin Hillman as Will Kemp. It is directed by Kevin Buxton, with staging by Weekes Baptiste
It will be staged in the Studio at Harborough Theatre on Saturday March 28, starting at 7.30pm, with doors opening at 6.45pm. Tickets cost £10. Visit ticketsource.co.uk/harboroughtheatre to book.
And there will be more to laugh about at the venue this month courtesy of the Ha Ha Harborough stand-up night, headlined by Dan Evans. As well as playing clubs and universities throughout the UK, Dan has gigged in Holland, Germany, Dubai and Ireland as well as being part of the sell-out Screaming Blue Murder Cabaret and Avalon Comedy Zones at the Edinburgh Fringe. Support comes from Jon Wagstaffe, known for his unique take on modern life and a knack for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. The bill is completed by Fred Ferenczi, who began stand-up in 2011 and has performed more than 1,000 gigs since then, including at prestigious clubs like Glee and Angel Comedy and at festival comedy tents.
The night is compered by Rob Coleman and takes place on Saturday March 21, starting at 8pm. Visit harboroughtheatre.com or call (01858) 463673 to book.