Yellow stockings? Ass ears? Masks? Insults? Clown paint? Cakes and Ale? What is it about Shakespeare’s comedies that makes them so popular even 400 years after they were written? Following the success of the one man show: ‘Why Will?’ in 2021, by popular demand, Bowler Crab’s Artistic Director returns to the format, this time exploring Shakespeare’s comedies … all of them! ‘Shakespeare & Comedy’ features twenty speeches and a myriad of subscriber questions to form a show which asks the central question: ‘Why is Shakespeare famous for his comedies?’ Stephen John takes a stomp through Shakespeare’s comedies, sharing his experience directing and performing Shakespeare professionally for almost ten years. Bicker with Benedick, dream with Bottom and mock with Malvolio as Stephen explores Shakespeare’s most famous comic scenes and the rarest alike! A love of laughter and literature encase this charismatic and personal performance as Stephen fights, feasts, frights, fakes and falls about laughing in every effort to share his passion for Shakespeare.

Bowler Crab is a theatre company which specialises in Shakespearean performance, producing UK tours as well as repertoire performances for schools, festivals, dining experiences, weddings and private events. Founded in 2013 by Artistic Director Stephen John, the company’s goal is to complete the Shakespearean canon.  Bowler Crab is the resident theatre company of Half House Farm (C16th performance venue in Three Oaks) and The Mermaid Inn (600 year old inn situated in Rye, historically famous for a visit from Shakespeare’s company in 1597). Their theatrical style can be considered as a mixture of minimalism and traditionalism, bringing Shakespearean language to life using fresh creative perspectives on customary performance practices inspired by literary themes rather than excessive sets or special stage effects.