Shakespearean themes featured in new theatrical productions

New theatrical productions are exploring the legacy and creative processes of William Shakespeare through diverse storytelling methods.

At Riverside Theatre in Iowa City, playwright Scott Carter has debuted the world premiere of ‘I, Will: A Late Romance’. The play examines a period in Shakespeare’s life when he faced a creative drought and transitioned from tragedies to lighter content. The narrative explores a fictionalized collaboration between Shakespeare and George Wilkins, while incorporating historical details such as Shakespeare’s time lodging with the Mountjoy family in London. Actor Tim Budd portrays the playwright, focusing on the character’s intellectual presence during this transitional era.

In a different approach to the Bard’s work, ‘The Exeunt/Enter Cycles’ utilizes audience-driven storytelling. This production features a central Chorus figure who moves through various Shakespearean worlds, such as Verona and Puck’s forest. The performance allows the audience to act as an integral force by deciding which narrative paths to follow, resulting in a unique show each night.