Shakespeare between the Sheets  Spotlight Performer

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Shakespeare between the Sheets

Shakespeare between the Sheets

The timeless words of Shakespeare, interspersed with piano classics, told and played live in this one-person show.

I present new takes on the words of some of Shakespeare's most famous characters, performed with live piano music as part of each character's journey.

If you wish to suggest one of your favourite characters for me to build a show around and perform, please do! Contact me now on shakespearesheets@gmail.com.

Edward Derbyshire is a teacher, actor, performer, translator and director based in Cheltenham, where he has taught in a wide variety of schools throughout his career. He started the Gloucestershire Youth Players, the only young company in the UK that performs solely Shakespeare, in 2005; now he directs the Dramestics Theatre Company, which brought theatre directly into people’s homes and spaces, and, indeed, anywhere. Edward principally teaches piano, drama, Chinese and Latin; he performs partly to keep learning, partly to keep himself terrified, and partly out of respect towards those whom he directs and asks to do the same.

On 11th January, 2022, Edward performed Part 1 of a trilogy of piano music and poetry recitals, ‘Father & Son’, followed by Part 2 on 25th February, and Part 3 on 1st April, spanning over 70 different poems, monologues and pieces of music. A collection of his father’s and his poetry, entitled, ‘From Age to Age’, can be ordered in pamphlet form. Copies are available for a donation. Edward has also performed his poetry and piano pieces to the residents of care homes in Cheltenham, and to the Cheltenham Macular Society. He can be booked for poetry and piano performances via shakespearesheets@gmail.com .

This focus on poetry and music in live performance led to Edward’s latest solo project: ‘Shakespeare between the Sheets’, which takes as its premise either a single character from the plays (such as Bottom, Malvolio, Benedick, the Macbeths, or Hamlet), or an amalgam of soliloquies chosen for their story arc, and interweaves these with live piano music that also tells the story.

The shows

(each lasting approximately one hour, with flexibility up to 90 minutes to include an interval, and featuring live words and music)

Bottom

Bottom between the Sheets

Meet the inexecrable hero of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and follow his story, as he entertains you with words and music.

Booking enquiries: shakespearesheets@gmail.com

Malvolio

Malvolio between the Sheets

'Go shake your ears!' as you spend time with the Lady Olivia's estate manager, who will express his thoughts and feelings in words and music.

Booking enquiries: shakespearesheets@gmail.com


Macbeth

The Macbeths between the Sheets

The raven himself is no longer hoarse: meet the Macbeths as they plot their rise and fall between live piano interludes.

Booking enquiries: shakespearesheets@gmail.com

Hamlet

Hamlet between the Sheets

The Dane gets into his stride as he rails against the world and the piano keys. Listen to a new interpretation of his story in this tale of words and music.

Booking enquiries: shakespearesheets@gmail.com

The performer

Edward Derbyshire (he/him)


is a teacher, actor, director and poet, based in Cheltenham, UK. Edward's passion is the art of storytelling. Here he continues his solo career, with an unique brand of performance, melding acted characters from Shakespeare's world-famous stories, with live, classic piano pieces. Edward has many acting and directing credits to his name, but has always returned to Shakespeare. He believes that the music within Shakespeare's words and poetry has strong resonances with keyboard music: the 'other voice'.

Edward Derbyshire
I have had a most rare visionBuild me a willow cabin at your gateUnmixed with baser matterThere shall be no more cakes and ale