Part 3: Shakespeare's Help

Cast (in order of appearance)

Paul Bateman as State Library of Victoria Journalist
Stephen Morrissey as William Shakespeare
Michael Jeffery as Actor 1
Mick Cahill as Actor 2
Nic Velissaris as Homer
James Liotta as Virgil

The action takes place on the stage of the Globe theatre in London during a rehearsal for the first performance of Hamlet by The Lord Chamberlain's Men in 1600, with Richard Burbage in the title role.

[The signature theme melody is played in an Elizabethan style.]

[The sound of a busy theatre, back stage, during rehearsal... sword fight practice and carpentry sounds are heard in the background.]

Journalist

[We hear him climb up stairs to the stage.] It seems that William Shakespeare has just called a break in rehearsals for Hamlet. It sounds to me like the actors are not happy with the plot.

[Actors muttering]

Journalist

What seems to be the trouble?

Actor 1

'tis the story.

Actor 2

This Hamlet seems not to know if he’s hither or thither.

Actor 1

He needs to write us another love story.

Actor 2

Uh, a, a few changes at least?

Journalist

Well, Mr. Shakespeare?

Shakespeare

I am not changing anything. It is a story of a man surrounded by murder and treachery. Who among you who thinks they could do better?

[Music underscores the appearance.]

Homer

I believe I could.

Shakespeare

Come closer, I would feign to recognise you.

Homer

[He advances a few steps.] I am also a poet you have heard the Illiad, the Odyssey?

Journalist

The greatest epic adventures of all time. Written by the ancient master storyteller Homer.

Homer

Who stands before you now.

Actors

Ooh. Ah.

Virgil

I will also put up my hand. 

Journalist

Virgil, ancient Roman author of the Aeneid?

Virgil

[He advances a few step.] At your service.

Actors

Ooh. Ah.

Shakespeare

Virgil? Homer? Have we to Hades descended?

Homer

Nay, good playwright, but your audience won't like this hero who does nothing.

Actors

[Mutter general agreement with Homer's point.]

Virgil

Tell us, William, why this baffled prince of yours.

Shakespeare

Like your hero Aeneas, he is tortured by his humanity.

Virgil

Ah but my Aeneas is tortured by his duty. His humanity is what spurs him on.

Shakespeare

With my Hamlet it is his human indecision that keeps him prisoner. 

Journalist

Virgil, Homer, you were the greatest story-tellers of your time, what is it that makes a great story?

Actor 1

Yes. Tell us.

Actor 2

You know I prefer a classic over all this modern stuff.

Virgil

Struggle is the essence of Drama. Conflict. Duty versus desire.

Homer

Man against man. Men driven to fight.

Virgil

The fight for right always makes the best story. It helps us endure the pain of our own living.

Homer

As long as it has revenge!

Actor 2

Ahhh, yes,

Actor 1

Revenge, now that makes a good story.

Virgil

a fatum, how you say in English,  'fate'. Fate is part of all great stories.

Homer

Man against the Gods.

Shakespeare

And what was destined to happen always does. 

Journalist

Wait a minute, are you all saying that we not free to change our fate.

Virgil

Never!

Journalist

Homer?

Homer

The gods will have their way.

Shakespeare

And this is what Hamlet struggles against. He is trapped.

Journalist

Well that is pretty pessimistic.

Actors

I don't have a problem with that... Works for me... etc.

Virgil

Is it in verse? The public love poetry spoken in dactylic hexameter.

Shakespeare

We English prefer the rhythm of Iambic pentameter.

Virgil

Well, what’s a heartbeat between friends?

Journalist

So I guess the key to a great story is fate?

Shakespeare

I know. We’ll change the end.  Fetch me a pen, I think they all need to die.

Actor 1

Huzzah William, a happy ending.

[The signature theme melody is repeated to end the scene.]

Credit

Conceived and Directed by John Paul Fischbach
Script by Robert Reid
Engineered and mixed by Carl Priestly at Itchyacoustic Design
Orchestrations by David James Nielsen

Recorded December 2007