The Beard of Avon - Synopsis - Act One

Act One

In the play, Shakspere (Freed chose this spelling for her character), attends a performance by a touring company of actors. The play is The Conquest of Alexandrio. Shakspere enjoys the play, but it is Geoffrey Dunderbread's performance as Ludibundus that inspires him to join the touring players. He meets Geoffrey in a tavern that night. He is bewitched by Geoffrey's boyish looks and smooth falsetto singing voice. Geoffrey, now drunk and flirting with the local prostitutes, tells Shakspere to find him in London. Shakspere abandons his wife Anne Hathaway in Stratford-on-Avon, and makes his way to London, determined to be an actor and to find Geoffrey, and seeks out the theater troupe. After an audition scene that is a sendup of how directors and actors can treat one another, he is offered a silent "spear shaker" role. He once again finds Geoffrey, who is arguing with Richard Burbage over whose role was larger. Geoffrey wins, and their newest play opens with Geoffrey and Burbage. Geoffrey takes Shakspere out to celebrate the play's opening in London. Shakspere soon finds that his starstruck admiration for Geoffrey turns into sexual attraction. Geoffrey informs Shakspere that he is "Only attracted to women and wealthy men", but tells Shakspere that he will sleep with him if he'll pay for his drinks. Shakspere agrees, and an affair is conducted behind the scenes. Meanwhile, Shakspere's wife Anne has come to London disguised as a whore. She soon finds her disguise opens up many possibilities.