The Birth of Merlin: The Childe Hath Found His Father

Merlin. King Arthur. War betwixt British and Saxons. Uther Pendragon. Collapsing castle foundations, Magicians and spirits, and fighting dragons and a blazing comet. Good entertaining stuff. But is it Shakespeare? The 1662 first printed edition of this play says it was written by William Shakespeare and William Rowley. It doesn’t appear that anyone any longer believes that Shakespeare was actually involved, and probably this is entirely Rowley – who co-authored plays with a fair number of other authors of the period. Rowley also acted in London troupes, including Shakespeare’s The King’s Players, often in low comedy Clown parts he wrote for himself such as is found in this play. – Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Aurelius, King of Brittain: Mike Manolakes Vortiger, King of (Welsh) Brittain: Craig Franklin Uter Pendragon, the Prince, Brother to Aurelius: JBerkhouse Donobert, a Nobleman, and Father to Constantia and Modesta: VocalPenguin The Earl of Gloster, and Father to Edwyn: Algy Pug Edoll, Earl of Chester and General to King Aurelius: Hamlet Cador, Earl of Cornwal, and Suitor to Constantia: Quin Herron Edwyn, Son to the Earl of Gloster, and Suitor to Modesta: Tomas Peter Toclio, Nobleman: Adrian Stephens Oswald, Nobleman: Andrew Gaunce Merlin the Prophet: Alan Mapstone Anselme the Hermit, after Bishop of Winchester: Jim Locke Clown: ToddHW Sir Nichodemus Nothing, a Courtier: Greg Giordano The Devil, father of Merlin: Phil Schempf Ostorius, the Saxon General: CassiopeiaSparks Octa, a Saxon Nobleman: Tchaikovsky Proximus, a Saxon Magician: Scott McKinley Bishop: Derek Trial Saxon Lord 1: Grace Buchanan Saxon Lord 2: Alan Mapstone Edols Captain : Derek Trial Gentleman 1: Wayne Cooke Gentleman 2: Seaquill A little Antick Spirit: Devorah Allen Artesia, Sister to Ostorius the Saxon General: Jenn Broda Constantia, daughter to Donobert: Lydia Modesta, daughter to Donobert: Linda Olsen Fitak Jone Goe-too’t, Mother of Merlin: Sonia A Waiting-woman to Artesia: Joanna Michal Hoyt Lucina, Queen of the Shades: Availle Armel: Sandra Schmit Plesgeth: Grace Buchanan Messenger: Grace Buchanan Stage Directions: David Purdy Editing: ToddHW