WONDER OF OUR STAGE by Monica Cross

[Full-Length Sci-fi/Historical/Drama]
In the 16th century, the greatest minds of the day created wooden robots called automatons. What if one of the greatest poets of all time was himself an automaton? What if William Shakespeare were one of those robots?

Queen Elizabeth I commissions the notorious necromancer John Dee to play matchmaker in order to find her a very particular suitor....
[Full-Length Sci-fi/Historical/Drama]
In the 16th century, the greatest minds of the day created wooden robots called automatons. What if one of the greatest poets of all time was himself an automaton? What if William Shakespeare were one of those robots?

Queen Elizabeth I commissions the notorious necromancer John Dee to play matchmaker in order to find her a very particular suitor. But when John Dee presents her with an Automaton, a man made completely out of wood, the Queen laughs in his face and leaves the newly made creation unable to fulfill his purpose. Unsure what to do, the Automaton stumbles into the theatre, almost literally. As he gains popularity upon the stage, tensions arise with his creator, and he sets out to forge his own destiny.
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WONDER OF OUR STAGE

Recommended by

  • Dave Osmundsen:
    7 Feb. 2024
    “ A riff on the Frankenstein mythos, a speculative Shakespearean tale, and a coming-of-age story rolled into one delightful and surprisingly poignant package. I don’t generally care about Shakespeare, and sci-fi can be a hard sell for me, but the theme of wanting to be an independent person on your own terms while learning to articulate and define thorny human emotions resonated profoundly here. I was deeply engaged by William’s quest to become the person (or automaton) he was meant to become. I highly recommend this play for theaters seeking an accessible yet moving new play. ”
  • Nora Louise Syran:
    6 Oct. 2023
    “ Adore this. Shakespeare a wooden robot? Cross "require[s] you do awake your faith"! And you will. Like Shakespeare in Love, you'll fall in love with Shakespeare all the more in his automaton form as he develops from "petty verses" to the "wonder of our stage" and somehow becomes "more completely human". The allusions throughout will keep lovers of the Bard's words amused and delighted. It's part Frankenstein, part Tempest, part alchemist Fantasy. Audiences and writers will adore as well. It's classic and timely all at once. (I really want to see that "goofy fellow with the dog" ;)
    ”
  • Aili Huber:
    22 Sep. 2023
    “ I had the privilege of directing the world premiere of this inventive and delightful script. Monica Cross's use of language is deft and powerful. The story is a delight, a meditation on what makes one human, while also being a romp through Elizabethan London. Other deep themes include the challenging relationships between parent and child as the child is growing into their own person. Easter eggs abound for those well-versed in Shakespeare, but none so obtrusive as to be a distraction.

    Our audience included people ages 10-80 and they all had a great time. Strong recommend. ”
View all 21 recommendations

Character Information

Casting Note:
I encourage casting directors and producers to look for opportunities for non-traditional casting in this play. Seeking color-conscious and gender-conscious ways to include actors in this story who might not traditionally be thought of for these parts.

  • Automaton/William Shakespeare
    25-50, Array,
    Presents Male
    A wooden Automaton.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Queen Elizabeth I
    55-70, Array,
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • John Dee
    60-80, Array,
    Male
    An Alchemist and, maybe, Necromancer.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Richard Burbage
    20-45, Array,
    Male
    The Leading Actor of the Lord Chamberlain's Men.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Cuthbert Burbage
    20-45, Array,
    Male
    Richard's older brother.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    New College of Florida
    ,
    2022
  • Reading
    ,
    Players Centre for the Performing Arts, Sarasota
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    Sarasota Area Playwrights Society
    ,
    2017

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Silk Moth Stage
    ,
    2023
  • Community Theater
    ,
    Players Centre for the Performing Arts
    ,
    2019

Awards

Winner
,
Players New Play Festival
,
Players Centre for the Performing Arts
,
2018
Winner
,
John Ringling Towers Individual Artist Grant for Performing Arts
,
Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County
,
2018