Shake-Scene

Join Shakspearian performers Stephen Collins and Poornima Kirby for a rollicking ride through some of the Bard's finest poetry and most compelling characters! Featuring scenes and monologues from some of Shakespeare's best known plays, including Macbeth, Taming of the Shrew, Henry V, and Julius Caesar, this original compilation digs into universal themes such as the price of power, the risks of falling in love, and the what to do with a murder weapon. The 1-hour show also includes a lively "sonnet duel," plenty of playful banter, and fascinating historical context; and includes a Question and Answer session at the end. Come immerse yourself in Shakespeare's wit, wordplay, and timeless verse!

Met to rave reviews for over a decade, Mr. Collins’ performances deliver not just the poetry and plays, but they bring poets and playwrights to life on the stage. From his signature performance of “Unlaunche’d Voices, an Evening with Walt Whitman”, to his newest addition “Songs of my Father” (Herman Melville), His shows convey an understanding of the impact and the reactions of the characters to their respective times, giving the audience not just a performance, but an experience. More information available at http://unlaunchedvoices.com/.

Poornima Kirby is a Boston-based actress, teacher, writer and director. She has a special affinity for poetic texts and collaborative theatre making. Her regional acting credits include Sleep no More (Mrs. De Winter) with the A.R.T., Daughter of Venus (Aramintha) with Wellfleet Harbor Actors’ Theater, Hamlet (Ophelia) with Actors’ Shakespeare Project, Midsummer Night’s Dream (Titania), Much Ado About Nothing (Beatrice), and Winters’ Tale (Hermione) with Bay Colony Shakespeare, Dr. Faustus (Faustus) with Wax Wings, and many more. Poornima writes, directs and performs regularly with Theatre of Eternal Values, a meditation-based theater company with bases in Cabella, Italy and Quincy, Ma. Poornima is artistic director for the American branch of TEV, and co-authored and performs in several of their productions. She has also appeared in numerous commercials, industrials and several independent films, including Justice (Enlightened Pictures) and The Walker (Walking Man Productions). She also works regularly as a teaching artist and public speaking coach, and is the co-author and co-creator of two original theater productions with actor Stephen Collins, including Shake-Scene, a compilation of some of Shakespeare’s most compelling scenes and sonnets, and A Christmas Carol, a sweet and funny adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic. Poornima holds a B.A. in Drama from Vassar College and has trained at LAMDA and Shakespeare & Company. More information available at www.PoornimaKirby.com.

This program is presented by the Boston Public Library as part of their Never Too Late Group created with older adults in mind. Due to the ample seating available in the Rabb Lecture Hall, registration is not required; instead, seating is first come, first served. The runtime is 1 hour and 20 minutes.

About the BPL's COVID-19 health and safety protocols:

• Program attendees are recommended to wear masks covering the nose and mouth.
• Read the BPL's latest COVID-19 guidelines for visiting the library.
• Program performers will remove their masks during the program.

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