​​     Shakespeare was a working actor, a pragmatic writer, and a practical guy. Theatre at the time was very popular indeed, but its practitioners were considered maybe a notch or two above the criminal class. Folks came indeed for the beautiful language, but also for the rowdy atmosphere, maybe a good bear-bating as a warmup act, and a drink or five. It was NOT the buttoned up, classist, overwhelmingly stuffy experience that we often associate with classical theatre today. That has been the product of many many years of conditioning by those who hold power. A way for the ruling classes to co opt culture and use it as a tool to maintain power and pride. ​

    These actors have spent their time playing bucking the system by trying, failing, laughing, recovering, and succeeding and the result is an inspiring night of entertainment that encourages us to do the same. As you’ll hear Hamlet say, theatre is here to “Hold, as ‘twere, the mirror up to nature.” and sometimes when we take a look in that mirror, we see a big ol’ booger hanging out of our noses. Thank goodness, too! It means we’re all human.