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The Talented Mr Shakespeare

Mark Gatiss and Tom Mothersdale star in a tale of Elizabethan camp skullduggery. Wilf Scolding's comic drama on the rivalry between Will Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe.

It is the last day of 1591 and William Shakespeare, a talented but incredibly pompous writer, is thrown out of the pub for being drunk, disorderly and for carving his name in the furniture. He's been ruining everyone's New Year's Eve. He stumbles home alone, pondering why success does not always equate to popularity.

Meanwhile, the less talented but slightly less annoying writer, Christopher Marlowe, discovers that Shakespeare is claiming sole authorship over their collaborations on the Henry VI plays. It's the final straw and he plots with renowned actor Will Kemp to kill Shakespeare.

When Kemp gets cold feet and tells Shakespeare of Marlowe's intentions, a counter plot evolves, and soon they team up with Lady Audrey Walsingham, a close personal friend of the Queen, who has her own axe to grind with the unfortunate Marlowe.

Cast:
Mark Gatiss as Sir Robert Cecil
Arthur Hughes as Christopher Marlowe
Harry Kershaw as Will Kemp
Renee Lamb as Lady Audrey
Tom Mothersdale as Will Shakespeare
Alana Ramsey as Queen Elizabeth & Martha
Travis Ross as John the Messenger

Original Music By Ed Scolding
Sound Presentation by Wilfredo Acosta

Written and Directed by Wilf Scolding
Producer: David Morley
A Perfectly Normal production for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4

Release date:

44 minutes

On radio

Today 14:15

Broadcast

  • Today 14:15

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