Enter the world of Wild Bill: Sonnet of a Bardsterd! Shakespeare as you've never seen him. Broadway Baby investigates.
I believe Wild Bill we be a version of the man Shakespeare that people have never imagined before and will have them thinking about his work and the stories that surround it.
Tell us about your show
It's a one-man play in which we meet Wild Bill, Shakespeare how we've never known him. Merging his characters with modern film Bill argues his side of the authorship debate as we discover that years of our worship has created a god, a monster; the Immortal Shakespeare.
Why did you decide to take your show to Space UK this year?
Space UK were incredibly supportive from the very beginning offering different venues and times in order for me to get the best possible experience while in Edinburgh.
What are you most looking forward to at this year's festival?
For the first time being a part of the thriving hub of talent. Having never experienced Edinburgh before I can't wait.
Why Edinburgh? What's the attraction?
Edinburgh felt like the right place to be brave and create something hopefully people hadn't seen before.
Have you ever brought a show to the festival before?
No, so I'm kind of jumping in with my mankini on!
What makes your show unique amongst the thousands of others at the festival?
Me. I believe Wild Bill we be a version of the man Shakespeare that people have never imagined before and will have them thinking about his work and the stories that surround it.
What has been the biggest challenge in getting your show ready for Edinburgh?
Writing your own one man play has its obvious fear factors but its realising I am responsible for the whole production and not just the performance.
Have you ever been to other venues at the festival?
Nope. Virgin here!
How did you create the show?
The play was born out of a monologue I created titled Richard III vs. Gollum. A Shakespeare speech reworked giving a new and different perspective on Richard using a modern day film equivalent.
I studied a lot of material on the authorship debate as well as reading the complete works and a lot of modern film material that I could possibly use to fuse together in order to argue Bill's side of the debate. Then it was a case of sitting in front of a mirror and writing the play as I verbalised Bill's thoughts.
The play is structured around six 'vs.' monologues which merge a Shakespeare character with a modern film equivalent. The dismissing of each conspiracy theory then links together the monologues.
What's the main thing you want to get out of the festival this year?
I've got to say exposure. It's a chance to show what I can do.
Can you tell us a bit about your company's background?
It's been created purely for this show. However I would hope to continue to create brave, unique and provoking shows.
If your show does well in Edinburgh, what do you want to do with it next?
Conquer the world with it! Why not?
Production Company: Michael Longhi
Venue: The Space @ Surgeons Hall - Theatre 3
Dates: Aug 7th-15th / 17th-22nd / 24th-29th
Times: 7th-15th @ 12.30-13.30 / 17th-22nd @ 14.00-15.00 / 24th-29th @ 15.00-16.00
Twitter Handle: @WILDBILLthebard @mikeypaolo
