'And let those that play your clowns speak no more than is set down for them,’ says the hero in Hamlet. The line generally interpreted as William Shakespeare’s dig at Will Kemp, the comic star of the age. Whether cast as Bottom or Falstaff, Kemp always tended to play himself. He split with Shakespeare’s company the Lord Chamberlain’s Men some time in 1599, quite possibly when his busking got out of hand.
But what if Kemp had a point? That Shakespeare’s clown parts were so dismal that they needed all the improvisation they could get? The premise will be tested in London’s West End next month in a legal theatrical production: ‘Is Shakespeare Funny? – The Trial of Shakespeare’.
In the one-off show, High Court judge Dame Joanna Smith will preside on stage over a cast of actors being cross-examined by eminent lawyers Kate Gallafent KC, Edward Henry KC, Andrew Hochhauser KC and Dinah Rose KC.
Proceeds from the event will support the work of cultural education charity Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation.
In this part-scripted, part-improvised show, Kemp has taken Shakespeare to court, claiming he was forced out by having to perform terrible jokes, night after night.
The cast includes comedian and actor Lee Mack as Kemp and actor Paterson Joseph as Robert Armin, who succeeded Kemp in Shakespeare’s company. Director and comedian Richard Ayoade and Shakespeare academic Professor Emma Smith will appear as expert witnesses.
The casting of Shakespeare himself and a special surprise witness will be announced shortly…
Is Shakespeare Funny? - The Trial of Shakespeare takes place at 7.30pm on Monday 8 December 2025 at the Criterion Theatre, London. To book tickets, visit criterion-theatre.co.uk/thetrialofshakespeare.
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