— by Cara Russell —
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“Can one desire too much of a good thing?” –Hamlet. Yes one-eth can! On Saturday April 11th from 12-3 p.m. on the Village Green, the 4th Annual Shakespeare Festival was unlike any of its preceding three. “Every year the festival takes on a life of its own,” said chair of the festival Michell Marshall.
It began with the march of individuals all dressed for the part. From Agamemnon to the Duchess of York, you just didn’t know who was who out wandering the streets and green grass of Orcas Island. There was, of course, a superfluous supply of fairies again this year. The parade ended then dispersed at the Farmers Market, that ran in to the taped off street of North Beach Rd.
Orcas welcomed back the juggling talents of One Fine Fool, as well as the Seattle Shakespeare Company (who performed Macbeth Friday for Orcas middle and high school students and for the community on Saturday night at the Orcas Center).
While the festival welcomed back some familiar faces, there were new characters as well. Sir Thomas Moore…or less…(aka Steve Henigson) was the resident Shakespeare scholar on site. Henigson could be found passing out small parchments with beautiful quotes, as well as his wisdom. “I may just include a fact or two.” Said Henigson.
The event was complete with a petting zoo of baby goats and lambs, many vendors, Chess master Phil Heikkinen, and charming-faced kids selling bake sale goods.
Between 1-3 p.m., performances were scattered throughout the Green. Acts included:
- Orcas Violinist Sasha Hagen
- Morris Dancers
- Esther de Montelflores– a circus artist based in Bellingham WA
- Salmonberry Students – who recited 12th Night
- Jules McEvoy-Schafer – Juggler from Bellingham Circus
- Almost Classical musicians – Lisa and Emmy Carter performed piano, harp, and violin
- JP and the OK Rhythm Boys
The 4th annual Shakespeare Festival was another success, and Marshall thanked the “too many to name” individuals who all helped with the creative process and to make the entire event possible.
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Sorry to quibble, but it’s Sir Thomas More: M-O-R-E.
Actually, I was “Sir Thomas More…or Less.”
Yes, I know that Henry VIII killed him off long before Shakespeare came onto the scene, but the pun was just too juicy to resist.
And did you know that Shakespeare wasn’t really English?
He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Yes. Really.
Hey: I’m the Shakespeare expert, not you!
And another little-known fact: Sir Thomas More’s cousin Les died in Tombstone Arizona, back in the 19th Century. His gravestone on Boot Hill reads, “Here lies Les More. Four shots from a .44: no Les no more.”