TONIGHT offers the chance in York to learn about the man who wrote a feminist sequel to The Taming Of The Shrew, The Tamer Tamed, co-authored three plays with Shakespeare and took over from The Bard as chief playwright of the King’s Men.
His name was John Fletcher, a writer of enormous popularity during his lifetime and throughout the 18th century, but more the preserve of academics now.
This evening's one-hour talk on Shakespeare’s Co-Author: John Fletcher by York Shakespeare Project director Ben Prusiner will take place at York Explore Library and Archives, Library Square, Museum Street, York.
Prusiner will uncover the hidden story of Fletcher's life, accompanying these revelations with excerpts from his rarely performed plays, ahead of YSP's staging of Shakespeare and Fletcher’s Henry VIII at the end of March.
"Henry VIII was likely the last play Shakespeare worked on, as he handed the mantle of chief playwright on to the next generation," says Prusiner. "Judge for yourself if Fletcher was up to the challenge."
Since 2001, York Shakespeare Project has committed itself to performing all of Shakespeare’s known plays in York over a 20-year span. In addition to mounting productions, YSP aims to provide an educational aspect to each show, hence tonight's lecture and a further one on Henry VIII In York: Pilgrimage, Plots And Penitence by YSP committee member Diana Wyatt on March 16 at 6.30pm.
York Shakespeare Project actor Ian Giles and director Ben Prusiner at work on Henry VIII
The talks at York Explore are free, but advance booking is recommended strongly. Do so in person at any City of York library, by phone on 01904 552828, by emailing york@exploreyork.org.uk, or online at eventbrite.co.uk YSP's Henry VIII will run from March 30 to April 1 at King's Manor, York, where the real Henry VIII spent time during a visit to York in 1541.
"It will be an energetic, boisterous promenade production filled with music, dance and lively, eloquent verse," says Prusiner. "There'll be optional audience interaction too, where they'll learn the King's favourite card game, learn a Tudor dance and participate in a coronation."
The cast will be led by Rhuadrhi Oliver as Henry VIII, Elizabeth Elsworth as Queen Katherine and Anna Trotman as Anne Boleyn. Further roles go to David Barrett as Lord Chamberlain; Wil Cox, Duke of Surrey and Porter; William Darwin, Sir Thomas Lovell; Joshua Eldridge-Smith, Duke of Norfolk; Tony Froud, Cardinal Wolsey; Ian Giles, Duke of Buckingham; Andrew Isherwood, Stephen Gardiner; Martina Meyer, Gentlewoman and Surveyor; Sally Mitcham, Patience and Steward; Almaz Rish, Gentlewoman and Countess of Surrey; Phyllis Smith as Lady Margary and Samuel Valentine, Cardinal Campeius.
Prusiner is joined in the production team by assistant director Lena Tondello; stage manager Sandrine Enryd Carlsson; deputy stage manager Marta Donati; designer Rebecca Neal; lighting designer Paul Hepworth; choreographer Fiona Jean Baistow; head of marketing Cindy Harley Campbell and dramaturgs Rachel Astall and Amanda Pitts.
Prusiner, a New Yorker now living in York, also directed YSP's production of King Lear last autumn.
Tickets for Henry VIII are on sale on 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here