This event is free but ticketed.

This months, two short plays will be staged ‘script in hand’ by regular members of the group, directed
by Clyde Gatell. Come along to watch these plays. The bar will be open!

 “The Dark Lady of the Sonnets” (1910)

A witty historical fantasy in which William Shakespeare, suffering writer’s block, encounters Queen Elizabeth I, disguised as the mysterious “Dark Lady” of his sonnets. Their sharp verbal sparring explores art, love, power, and the tension between the poet and the monarch. The play is short, comic, and intellectually playful, poking fun at romantic myths about Shakespeare while celebrating the life of the imagination.

“How He Lied to Her Husband” (1905)

A sparkling comedy of manners centred on a love triangle involving a married woman, her infatuated poet admirer, and her practical, good‑humoured husband. When a passionate love letter goes astray, the admirer is forced into increasingly elaborate lies to explain himself. Shaw uses the situation to satirise romantic idealism, marital honesty, and the posturing of artists, with humour that comes entirely from language and wit rather than farce.

A Message from the organiser Chris Gill

We have been running play readings once a month at the Marine Theatre since January 2023. The Theatre continues kindly to provide the venue free to support community drama. We have a small group of regular attenders and we are always pleased to welcome new people, whether they want to read or just listen.

If you want to go on our circulation list or have any questions about the meetings, please
contact Chris Gill through the Marine Theatre.

Please remember to bring with you a paper or screen copy of the script if you wish to read. We are not able to provide copies.