The Swaffham Crier Online

Merriweather's Shakespeare

Nicodemus Merriweather (born Nick Meadows in 1571 in St Martin-in-the- Fields) ran away to join the theatre on his fifteenth birthday. Thrust into the breech by William Shakespeare himself, Merriweather's inglorious debut on the London stage heralded a career of playing sidekicks, foils, straight men and stooges to all the truly great actors of the age. Merriweather's perspective is unique, his memory remarkable, and his honesty unflinching. His tenure with the Lord Chamberlain's - later the King's - Men took him through turbulent times - the Essex Rebellion, the Gunpowder Plot, a change of royal dynasty, the execution of Roderigo Lopez, his own interrogation in the Clink, and the Plague. During the course of the play, Merriweather portrays forty or more characters, some real people, others Will's own creations in their finest speeches. Hilariously funny, hair raising, bloody and poignantly sad, 'Merriweather'is a great night out for lovers of the Bard and newcomers to Shakespeare alike.

This is a one-man show and Merriweather carries all his theatre, costumes and props on his back.

Friday 26 June - St Mary's Church 7.30 - 9.30pm £6.00