Michael Shaw Fisher: the writer/performer/composer/producer of Shakespeare’s Last Night Out (Or “What? YOU, Will?), answered some quick questions for @SeeItOrSkipItLA!
1. There is quite a bit of controversy over whether or not Shakespeare actually wrote all of the plays that are attributed to him. Is this play finally the definitive answer to that controversy?
A: Ha ha! I like to think so… Unfortunately there will always be elitists who assume a person needs to be Oxford educated to have the insights of a magnificent poet – even though, time and time again, poets have emerged from all corners of the world like rare flowers. Please forgive the sappy metaphor there – I’m obviously not one of those poets. Shakespeare was however. The premise is to present evidence by showing his all-too-human motivations: arrogance, ambition, desperation, and regret we hope to paint a picture of him as a flawed man, effected by his friends and family, one who was blessed with extraordinary gifts but cursed to constantly prove himself .
2. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being rolling over in his grave and 10 being raising a toast in salute, where do you think Shakespeare would fall in regards to your portrayal of his last night of debauchery?
A: Love this question! Well, Shakespeare would probably laugh. I did a lot of research on him and tried to pull from the most concrete facts about his career and family. He might forgive any mistakes due to the 400 year gap. Forgiveness was, after all a big theme for him. He’d love the music for sure. He dabbled in a musical himself – a adaptation of Don Quixote. He’d find my “Will” to be a more brash version of himself but certainly bubbling with familiar motivations and passions. I would say a 10…or he might even say, “This one goes to eleven” that is if they screen Spinal Tap in heaven – which I see no reason why not!
3. What about your show makes it perfect for the Fringe?
A: Technically it’s simple (ie fringe-suitable): one man, two musicians (“muses”) creating a life though what could be roughly described as drinking songs. I’ve also found fringe thrives on intimacy – so by putting it in a 70 seat bar, we are able to take it to its fringiest levels of interplay with audience, who can meet the Bard personally instead of just through his plays to get a better sense of the man. I mean on the end, fringe rewards bold risks and this show’s pretty in your face.
4. What do you hope the audience walks away with after your show?
A: I hope people come away having laughed, maybe cried, maybe discovering some of Shakespeare I experienced while writing it.
5. What show, other than yours, are you most excited to see at the Fringe?
A: I’m seeing 50 shows – I do every year. The more the better: Halfwits Last Hurrah!, King of Kong, Hamlet Mobile…(of course) Timeheart, The Devil You Say, The Seventh Annual One Man Show Championships by my hilarious buddy Jim Hanna… I’m also in Poe Show, so come see that too if you like strange historical writers doing strange things! Fringe on!
Intrigued? You can see Shakespeare’s Last Night Out (Or “What? YOU, Will?), on these days:
Three Clubs 1123 N Vine St. Los Angeles, CA 90038
Preview is: 7th JUNE 2015 @ 6:00PM
Sunday June 7th – 6:00 PM
Saturday June 13th – 2:00 PM
Saturday June 20th – 3:30 PM
Sunday June 21st – 8:00 PM
Friday June 26th – 6:00 PM
Sunday June 27th – 2:00 PM
Okay fine, you can have a discount too!
Preview performance is half price!
For ticketing click here.
*As a special thank-you to all Fringers following my coverage, please enjoy 15% off purchases at In Heels Productions throughout the month of June. Use code HFF15 at checkout!