In recognition of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, the North Carolina Museum of History and Burning Coal Theatre Company* have joined efforts to present the Shakespeare Marathon: 38 Plays in 5 Days. The marathon will bring theatrical groups—professional, college, and amateur—from across North Carolina to perform around-the-clock staged readings of all 38 plays by Shakespeare. From noon Saturday, April 23, until early Thursday, April 28, the groups—and some celebrities, too—will perform the Bard’s works, from his first to his last, with minimal costumes and props. The event takes place in Daniels Auditorium** and is free.
To view a live video stream of the Marathon click here.
Schedule of Readings at the North Carolina Museum of History
Saturday, April 23
Noon–3 p.m. Henry VI, Part I, Flat Rock Playhouse, Flat Rock
3–6 p.m. Henry VI, Part II, Theatre Department, Davidson College, Davidson
6–9 p.m. Henry VI, Part III, The ArtsCenter, Carrboro
9 p.m.–midnight Richard III, Needham B. Broughton High School, Raleigh
Sunday, April 24
Midnight–3 a.m. Comedy of Errors, Gilbert Theater, Fayetteville
3–6 a.m. Titus Andronicus, Raleigh Little Theatre, Raleigh
6–9 a.m. Taming of the Shrew, Thalian Association Community Theatre, Wilmington
9 a.m.–noon Two Gentlemen of Verona, Raleigh Charter High School, Raleigh, and Seed Art Share, Garner
Noon–3 p.m. Love’s Labour’s Lost, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Rocky Mount
3–6 p.m. Romeo and Juliet, Greensboro College, Greensboro
6–9 p.m. Richard II, In/Visible Theatre, Boone
9 p.m.–midnight A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Appalachian State University, Boone
Monday, April 25
Midnight–3 a.m. King John, Theatre in the Park, Raleigh
3–6 a.m. The Merchant of Venice, Justice Theatre Project, Raleigh
6–9 a.m. Henry IV, Part I, Neuse Little Theatre, Smithfield
9 a.m.–noon Henry IV, Part II, Barton College, Wilson
Noon–3 p.m. Much Ado about Nothing, Belmont Abbey College, Belmont
3–6 p.m. Henry V, Chickspeare™, Charlotte
6–9 p.m. Julius Caesar, Duke Players, Durham
9 p.m.–midnight As You Like It, Magnolia Arts Center, Greenville
Tuesday, April 26
Midnight–3 a.m. Twelfth Night, Bare Theatre, Raleigh
3–6 a.m. Hamlet, Dram Tree Shakespeare, Wilmington
6–9 a.m. The Merry Wives of Windsor, Sweet Tea Shakespeare and Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville
9 a.m.–noon Troilus and Cressida, Honest Pint Theatre Company, Raleigh
Noon–3 p.m. All’s Well That Ends Well, Ensemble Stage, Blowing Rock
3–6 p.m. Measure for Measure, Louisburg College, Louisburg
6–9 p.m. Othello, Catawba College, Salisbury
9 p.m.–midnight King Lear, PlayMakers Repertory Company, Chapel Hill
Wednesday, April 27
Midnight–3 a.m. Macbeth, William Peace University, Raleigh
3–6 a.m. Antony and Cleopatra, Antic Shakespeare Company, Durham
6–9 a.m. Coriolanus, Burning Coal Theatre Company, Raleigh*
9 a.m.–noon Timon of Athens, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke
Noon–3 p.m. Pericles, Brunswick Little Theatre, Southport
3–6 p.m. Cymbeline, North Carolina Central University, Durham
6–9 p.m. The Winter’s Tale, Studio 1, Burlington
9 p.m.–midnight The Tempest, Twin City Stage, Winston-Salem
Thursday, April 28
Midnight–3 a.m. Henry VIII, Warehouse Performing Arts Center, Cornelius
3–6 a.m. The Two Noble Kinsmen, Stillwater Theatre Company, Meredith College, Raleigh
*Burning Coal Theatre Company is co-presenter and producer of this marathon of staged readings.
**All times are approximate. All readings take place on the Daniels Auditorium stage at the Museum of History. After regular museum hours, enter through the lobby doors on Edenton Street.
