Mateo D’Amato in ‘The Shakespeare Conspiracy Photo Credit – Brian Pachelli
The Shakespeare Conspiracy is playing at Theater Row now through May 5. This play is the first of two productions that make up the “Battle Of The Bards: The Christopher Marlowe Festival.” If you are a fan of the conspiracy theories that question whether Shakespeare actually wrote his own works, you may enjoy seeing this show. The Shakespeare Conspiracy centers on the life of Christopher Marlowe who is regarded by many as the foremost playwright and poet of the Elizabethan era. The play is presented by Fledgling Theater Company who provide an imaginative representation of this time period and the questions arising from it.
Written by Ted Bacino and Rufus Cadigan, The Shakespeare Conspiracy examines two ideas:
1. How did William Shakespeare become England’s greatest playwright virtually overnight when he was just a nameless actor who had never written anything before?
2. How could Christopher Marlowe, known spy and the previous reigning playwright in England, be suspiciously murdered and quickly buried in an unmarked grave just days before he was to be tried for treason?
Mateo D’Amato & Josh Jacobson in ‘The Shakespeare Conspiracy’ – Photo Credit – Brian Pachelli
A dark atmosphere prevails at the start of the play and carries throughout the entire story. Hooded figures are inside the theater as people find their seats. The play begins with the hooded beings carrying out something that represents a dead body to signify the time period when a plague was killing people.
Christopher Marlowe appears with his male lover as the background of their lives together plays out. They learn of people who are being put on trial for treason and losing their lives. So when the call comes from Marlowe to come to trial, a plot is set in motion to hide him by claiming he was killed. He remains hidden in the mansion where the two lovers live and they recruit a very uneducated William Shakespeare to serve as the source to deliver the plays that Marlowe writes. The credit for writing goes to Shakespeare while Marlowe creates masterpieces all the while the world thinks he is dead. As he continues years of hiding, a constable is high on his tail. He suspects that Marlowe is still alive and he tries to track him and catch him. The plot has more twists and turns that bring it to quite a surprising ending.
Strong acting develops the characterization on stage which is so crucial to the story line. Under the direction of Jeremy Karafin, suspense and downright scary moments at times develop the plot and makes it very believable. The cast features Matthew Dalton Lynch, Mateo d’Amato, Jevon Nicholson, James M. Arthur, Paul Marquez, Dontonio Demarco, Temesgen Tocruray and Josh Jacobson.
The black box theater used for this show is small. There are only about 50 seats. But this intimate setting allows the audience to really feel a part of the action taking place. The stage is small but it doesn’t hamper the actors it all. They utilize the entire length of the theater going right up into an area that could normally be used for seating. This use of the space allows the audience to really get a sense in the feel of movement and tension that is taking place in this story.
This really is a superb production to see. The Shakespeare Conspiracy will peak your interest in this fabulous debate of ideas. What you end up with as a conclusion might differ from the ideas you have going in.
Information About ‘The Shakespeare Conspiracy’
Running Time: 120 minutes with one intermission
Location: Studio Theatre, Theater Row, 410 W. 42nd Street, New York City
Performances: April 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, May 2, 3, 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. and April 22nd, 29th at 2:00 p.m.
Contact for Info and Tickets: Theater Row’s website – http://www.theatrerow.org/
Suggested Audience: Theater goers who enjoy intense situations and mature situations