"Shakespeare on Trial" presented Nov. 23rd at Diana Wortham Theatre

Writer William Shakespeare defends his own plays in the brilliantly entertaining "Shakespeare on Trial"

The performance that brought down the house during its last visit is back: the hilarious comedy Shakespeare On Trial returns to the Diana Wortham Theatre stage Saturday, November 23 at 8:00pm. This uproarious experience in “Shakespearian” theatre asks the audience, the “jury,” whether writer William Shakespeare is guilty of irrelevance in a modern world.  Audiences are treated to a buffet of hilarity as Shakespeare encounters four of his own most famous characters (Macbeth, Iago, Hamlet, and Juliet) up-close, personal and ticked-off. Writer/creator Jeremy Webb plays the four Shakespearian characters along-side Simon Henderson who stars as the Bard. “Webb and Henderson are delightful to watch and play off each other with the same energy as Tim Conway and Harvey Korman,” (The Coast). Shakespeare On Trial played for a capacity audience during its last visit to Diana Wortham Theatre in October 2011.

In this highly energetic play featuring some of the Bard’s best quotes and speeches, an unwitting Bill Shakespeare must stand up for his own writing as the four characters challenge him to write in a more modern way, arguing that no one really understands his plays anymore. As his characters “recreate” a variety of scenes to prove their point — from hot-blooded and hilarious to passionate and poignant — Shakespeare nobly defends the validity of his work. The audience helps make the case for Shakespeare’s lasting significance in the last fifteen minutes as Shakespeare calls upon the audience to help prove his point: “The play’s the thing…”

Shakespeare On Trial’s Asheville performance is made possible by Mainstage Theatre Series Sponsors Carol & Bob Deutsch, Bill & Jerry McAninch, and Bank of America, with additional support from Media Sponsors 880 The Revolution and News Radio 570 WWNC.

In addition to the evening performance, Shakespeare On Trial performances are also part of the Mainstage Matinee Series for Students and Families, Friday, November 22, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Performances in the Matinee Series are open to school groups, homeschoolers, community groups, and families. These performances of Shakespeare On Trial are recommended for students in Grades 5-12. To obtain more information or to make reservations, call the box office at (828) 257-4530.

The Mainstage Series is supported by a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, a state agency. The Mainstage Series 2013/2014 Season Sponsors are the Asheville Scene, Blue Moon Water, Creative Energy, Laurey’s Catering and Gourmet-to-go, the North Carolina Arts Council, and the Renaissance Asheville Hotel. 

To obtain more information on the Mainstage Series or to purchase tickets, call the theatre’s box office at (828) 257-4530 or visit www.dwtheatre.com.