An Act of Will

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Stratford-upon-Avon, 1613. William Shakespeare arrives home at the beginning of his retirement after a glittering career in London as England´s greatest playwright. This ought to be a time for him to look back with satisfaction on his life´s work. But he is hiding something. The story that unfolds is that of a life at the end of the Tudor age and the dawn of a new century. It is a story of religious intolerance, political intrigue, espionage and literary genius. But what is the big secret that he is so desperate to tell us, yet so frightened to reveal?

“A provocative portrait of a newly-retired William Shakespeare. McEvoy´s portrayal delights audiences as he reveals Shakespeare´s personal and professional ‘secrets´. McEvoy´s amiable but rough-edged Shakespeare looks the part – aged and wearied. Relaxed in demeanor and his eyes full of humor, this Shakespeare describes his early life, his journeys to see James Burbage perform, and his love for and engagement to Anne Whately. The shotgun wedding to the impregnated Anne Hathaway and a lifetime of marriage to ‘the wrong Anne´ are the first in a slew of revelations. McEvoy presents Shakespeare´s early London years with fondness, peppering the account with detailed ‘realities´. He tells of Robert Greene´s inflammatory pamphlets inciting the torture of Thomas Kyd and the heresy accusations against Christopher Marlowe. The accumulation of ‘historical details´ mounts and lends credence to the play´s pivotal – and conjectural – ‘secret´. McEvoy breathes life into ‘history´, as he tells his stories. He always entertains, sometimes with self-deprecating humor. Director Steven Canny relies on the personable McEvoy to engage the audience. This fascinating production concludes with Shakespeare suddenly distrustful of the spectators, suspecting they may be spies from the Star Chamber. He reverses himself, claiming his confession to be merely a jest.”
Justin Shaltz, Shakespeare Bulletin.

Michael´s recent theatre includes Beckett and the Philosophers with the Godot Company at the Cockpit Theatre, Breaking the Code for Antares B Productions, Black Comedy at the Half Moon, Herne Hill. During the current election campaign Michael appeared as Rupert Murdoch in The New Prime Minister at the Cochrane Theatre, London. Michael is a founder member of the touring company, the Globe Players, with whom he has played many classical roles. Television includes Chambers, The Bill, Who Cared for Billy Jo? and Watching the Detectives. Most recent film: The Tell-tale Heart (Peer Productions USA).