Motley Shakespeare Players present Motley Festival

Put on your Motley coat and join the Motley Shakespeare Players for their Motley Festival March 22nd through March 26th. For their Motley Festival, Motley Shakes will reprise their Season of the Elements consisting of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, The Winter’s Tale, and Pericles, Christopher Marlowe’s The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, and Francis Beaumont’s The Knight of the Burning Pestle.

Run away with Motley Shakes’ 60-minute production of As You Like It, full of love triangles, disguises, songs, and motley fools that explores the joy we find in love and companionship. Join Rosalind as she travels from the straight-laced and traditional court of the new duke to the steampunk-inspired Forest of Arden full of music and romance. This production, aimed towards young audiences, will perform on Thursday, March 22nd at 7:00 PM in Masonic Blue, located at 13 W. Beverley Street, 5th Floor in Staunton, VA.

Awake your faith with Motley Shakes’ 7-person production of The Winter’s Tale, where the cast portrays over twenty different characters. In one of Shakespeare’s great romances, King Leontes allows his jealousy to overtake him, creating a ripple effect that spans two kingdoms and sixteen years. With tragedy and redemption, bears and dances, visit these courts on Friday, March 23rd at 7:00 PM in Masonic Blue.

Settle thy studies for The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, a 6-person production telling the story of Faustus’ fall. As Faustus toys with powers beyond his control, he places his soul in the balance, and his story intertwines with music, clowns, and magic. Watch the six actors take on multiple roles, and some roles take on multiple actors, on Saturday, March 24th at 7:00 PM in Masonic Blue.

Set sail with the Motley Players for Pericles, guest-directed by Vanessa Morosco. The company tells the story of Pericles and his family as they navigate a whirlwind journey towards revelation and reunion under the watchful eye of the goddess Diana. Come aboard the voyage of shipwrecks, dances, riddles, and pirates on Sunday, March 25th at 7:00 PM at the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse located at 10 S. Market Street in Staunton, VA.

Jump into the play where everything goes wrong with The Knight of the Burning Pestle. In this production full of clowns, sword fights, and giants, an acting company attempts to put on the play The London Merchant despite a meddling pair of audience members who rebel against the actors. Join the fun, the frenzy, and the mayhem on Monday, March 26th at 7:00 PM at the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse.

All performances during the Motley Festival are free admission, donations accepted. For more details, visit www.motleyshakes.com/Festival or email [email protected].