George Dillion set to play the real’ William Shakespeare at Essex theatre

THE latest play to show at Chelmsford s Cramphorn theatre is The Man Who Was Hamlet . It tells the tragic, comical, romantic, and utterly scandalous history of Edward De Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford and owner of Hedingham Castle – identified in the 2

THE latest play to show at Chelmsford's Cramphorn theatre is The Man Who Was Hamlet .

It tells the tragic, comical, romantic, and utterly scandalous history of Edward De Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford and owner of Hedingham Castle - identified in the 20th century as the 'real' William Shakespeare.

Edward de Vere killed a servant, made love to Queen Elizabeth, abandoned his wife, got his mistress with child, travelled in Italy, was captured by pirates, fought the Armada, was imprisoned in the Tower of London, maimed in a duel, kept two companies of players and died virtually bankrupt.

He was also hailed as the best of the secret court writers but his work suddenly stopped after the first invention of 'William Shakespeare'.

So was de Vere the inspiration for Hamlet or was he really the author?

A monstrous apparition comes with a dramatic story to tell and the name of 'Shakespeare' will never sound the same again, after award-winning performer George Dillon presents his eighth solo show, with original music by Charlotte Glasson, directed by Denise Evans.

The Man Who Was Hamlet arrives at Chelmsford's Cramphorn Theatre on Thursday September 24 at 8pm

Tickets cost �11 with concessions at �9. Students and registered unemployed can take advantage of the theatre's �5 ticket.

Don't miss this intriguing evening of drama at the Cramphorn Theatre.