The Tragedy of Yorick (A Comedy) by Patrick Cannon

Shakespeare’s most famous non-speaking character finally gets his say. After five decades of Grave-digging service, Yorick is ready to call it quits...in more ways than one. When his attempts of suicide are thwarted by the appointment of Tony, a young and strapping new apprentice, Yorick finds himself afforded with the opportunity to chase his wildest dreams. It is a tale, full of farts and fury, about the...
Shakespeare’s most famous non-speaking character finally gets his say. After five decades of Grave-digging service, Yorick is ready to call it quits...in more ways than one. When his attempts of suicide are thwarted by the appointment of Tony, a young and strapping new apprentice, Yorick finds himself afforded with the opportunity to chase his wildest dreams. It is a tale, full of farts and fury, about the mediocre rise and sudden fall of Yorick the Jester.
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The Tragedy of Yorick (A Comedy)

Recommended by

  • Nicholas Dunn:
    28 May. 2019
    “ Patrick Cannon has written a love letter for all performers and lovers of performance in 'The Tragedy of Yorick (A Comedy).' He brilliantly pays homage to the comedians and tragedians of history while also spinning a yarn that is all his own. Actors and designers will have a field day with this one, and audiences will be gasping for breath between laughs. ”
  • Alicia Grega:
    26 May. 2019
    “ How I love this play! Blending the blunt freshness of modern slang with the grace of Shakespeare's lyricism, Patrick Cannon's Yorick is a love letter to centuries of comedy from Commedia to clowning, classic silent film, and sitcom. In this extremely funny suicide note, Hamlet's gravedigger seizes the shocking opportunity to work his dream job as the court jester of Elsinore before shrugging off "this mortal coil." ”

CHARACTERS

Yorick, 70, sharp as a tack, fast, obnoxious, walking contradiction,
impulsive, crude, charming, short attention span, song and
dance man.

Tony, 25, handsome, regal, wide eyed hopeless romantic, eager,
kind; patient, naive.

Queen Gertrude, 25, quick, witty, fierce, ambitious, sex starved,
calculating, powerful.

Jiminy the Jester, 40, sad clown, lonely, over-worked, annoying, talkative

King Hamlet, 25, cocky, loud, huge drunk.

Hark Highlance, 40, dramatic, booming, egomaniac.

Lil' Hamlet, 8 (to be played by a grown ass man), morbid, imaginative

Ophelia, 8 (can be a person, can be a puppet, not needed for the
reading) prone to drowning.

Messenger

The Audience

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Pittsburgh Playhouse- MFA Thesis Reading
    ,
    2019

Awards

Second Place- Writer's Digest 88th Annual Writing Competition
,
Writer's Digest
,
2019
Second Rounder - Script Competition
,
AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL
,
2019
Selection
,
Screen
,
Screencraft Playwriting Competition- Quarterfinalist
,
2019