Photos by Peter Mould

Your Bard

Your Bard, a Stables production exploring the debate about who actually wrote the plays assigned to William Shakespeare. Professor Nother is giving a talk about authorship in the function room at The Shakespeare Pub, based on his belief that the man from Stratford didn’t write all those plays. Zelly Restorick reports.

“This is Will’s cue to kick the door off the hinges and defend his reputation”, writes author, actor and Hastings resident, Nicholas Collett. “Come and meet the man himself and take the lid off a legend in your local. He’ll tell you all about his family, what it’s like on tour and the glory days at the Globe. Queen Elizabeth I, Christopher Marlowe and Ned Alleyn – you’ll meet them too. Intermingled with a few of his greatest hits – and maybe a sonnet or a song.

“There’s no fourth wall here – we’re all in this together. Ladies and gentlemen raise your glasses: Your Bard!”

Photo by Peter Mould

“The play was written this January”, Nicholas explains, “on a retreat in Seaside, Florida, called ‘Escape To Create’. The show premiered at Jersey Opera House and recently appeared as part of ‘The British Invasion’ in Kansas City.

“I’ve been an actor for 33 years – I graduated from the University of Birmingham and then trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Career highlights are the RSC at the Barbican and The Hobbit in the West End. I’ve been writing and producing solo work since 2010.

“I had lived in London for about 12 years before moving to Hastings in 1999 with my wife Lorraine and daughter Grace. Our son Thom arrived in 2002. I grew up in Sheffield, so trips to the seaside were a special event. I think even then I wanted to live by the sea so when the chance came up we grabbed it. We love it here – the town has a unique buzz and friends love coming here – and we have visitors from all over because I work internationally quite a bit.

“I’m looking forward to performing Your Bard at the Stables. It’s always nice playing in your home town!”

The show is touring the UK this autumn and will be appearing as part of a season at the REP theatre in Seaside, Florida in October and November.

“The charismatic Collett commands the room in a truly intimate, funny and energetic performance that wraps us up in Shakespeare’s life and person.”  The Pitch, Kansas City

“Lively and engaging, full of humour and audience interaction.” KC Metropolis

Your Bard Written and performed by Nicholas Collett. Additional material by Will Shakespeare. Directed by Gavin Robertson.

The Stables Theatre, The Bourne, Hastings, TN34 3BD : 15 September  at 19.30 : Running time 80 mins plus interval : Tickets – Adults £13.00 / Under 18’s and Groups £10.00 / Members £8.00 : Box office: 01424 423221.

Photo Peter Mould

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