Museums

Thursday 28 August 2025

7pm

Abington Park Museum

£12 per person

 

Step into the world of Elizabethan theatre and discover the untold story of Will Kemp, the original Falstaff, Shakespeare’s clown, and the man who danced his way into legend!

Masterfully brought to life by Theatre 17, Death of a Clown is a one-man theatrical tour de force, a captivating blend of humour, history and live music, taking you on a journey from the heights of success at the Globe Theatre to the lowest of low taverns in Thetford. Whether you’re a Shakespeare enthusiast or just love a great story well told, this is a play that will entertain, enlighten, and surprise you.

 

It is the year 1600 and one-time theatrical superstar Will Kemp is down on his luck. Reduced to long-distance morris dancing as a publicity stunt, there's only one person to blame: Will Shakespeare. T'other Will.

 

Our Will wants to tell you about it...

 

Though we know frustratingly little about our greatest poet and playwright, we know even less about his pre-eminent comic actor, the extraordinary Will Kemp. We can glean from existing records that he was the most popular clown of his day, also that Shakespeare wrote his early comic roles with him in mind (most notably Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream), but further references to him are sparse. Along with Shakespeare himself, it is known that he was a sharer (or director) of The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, who staged all of Shakespeare’s plays and who were the most successful company in London, and we also know that as a sharer he was an equal amongst equals, so could not be dismissed. And yet, in 1599, he suddenly disappears from the records, which suggests that he left the company of his own accord. Why he should choose to do so, seemingly at the height of his powers and popularity, only to vanish into obscurity (apart from his “nine day’s wonder” in 1600) is a mystery that this play attempts to unravel.

 

The play lasts approximately 105 minutes including a 15 minute interval.

A bar will be available.

 

 

Actor/Musician: Robin Hillman

Robin Hillman, who plays Will Kemp, has spent several decades performing as an actor, fiddle-player and singer. For Theatre 17, as well as Kemp, he was John Clare in the one-man show I Am John Clare, written and directed by the late Stephen Loveless, performing this acclaimed show many times over the course of several years. He was also William Blake in the one-man show Fearful Symmetry, The Locksmith in Something Scary, and also played the title role in Jack Luck. All these plays were written and directed by Stephen Loveless.

 

Writer/Director: Kevin Buxton

Kevin Buxton has been involved in the worlds of theatre and music for over 40 years, as a writer, director, actor, musician, and latterly as a music promoter. Early in his career he ran his own touring revue company before working as a freelance scriptwriter for television. Death Of A Clown marks his return to the theatre after many years, during which he has focussed primarily on music projects as well as writing fiction.

 

Staging: Weekes Baptiste

Formerly the Artistic Director of Northampton Youth Theatre, Weekes Baptiste has over 40 years of experience in professional theatre both on and off stage. His strength is as a writer/director, and to date he has written over a dozen original plays for children of all ages and adults, performed throughout the UK. In 2021, Weekes was awarded a prestigious award for his work and outstanding contribution to youth theatre in Northamptonshire.

 

Thanks to Chris Conway for the music accompanying Shakespeare’s dialogue.

 

Tickets are also available to purchase direct from the museum, in person, or over the telephone, Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 12pm - 5pm, 01604 526322