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

  • Chelsea Frandsen:
    25 May. 2023
    “ What if Shakespeare was an automaton? an intriguing question, and one that Monica Cross fantastically answers. It grabs your interest from curtain up and keeps you entertained until the very last page. This Bard Fangirl/bookworm/sci fi geek girl is very very happy! ”
  • Christopher Soucy:
    26 Dec. 2022
    “ I read this ages ago! Just getting around to recommending! Highly, highly, highly recommend! A feat of Shakespearean knowledge mixed with proper Elizabethan era sorcery. It’s a precursor to steam punk… wood punk? It’s amazing and could easily sit on my shelf next to my Complete Works and Yale Shakespeare collection! ”
  • Duncan Pflaster:
    19 Jul. 2022
    “ A fun and fascinating piece of alternate Shakespearean history, positing that Dr. John Dee created William Shakespeare as an automaton to be a husband for Queen Elizabeth, but when she doesn't find him human enough, hires actors to instruct him in humanity. Clever and well-researched. ”
View all 18 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

  • 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