The Dark Lady of the Sonnets

Making his way to a tryst with his dark lady near the royal palace the young playwright William Shakespeare encounters a mysterious woman in a cloak. Mistaking her for his lady friend he accosts her in a familiar fashion only to discover to his dismay that she is in fact the queen. He overcomes his initial discomfort and takes advantage of the situation to make a petition for royal support to establish a national theatre.Shaw's play had two purposes:To deflate the reputation of Shakespeare for whom Shaw felt a lifelong rivalryTo provide support for a campaign to establish a national theatre in 1916 the tercentenary of Shakespeare's death. As with many of his plays Shaw wrote a lengthy preface which has been included in this recording.Preface narrated by Noel BadrianCastThe Man (William Shakespeare) - Peter TuckerThe lady/Queen Elizabeth - Danielle CohenThe Dark Lady - Erin Louttit The Beefeater/Warder - Denis DalyStage directions - Noel Badrian