Photos: First look at Evolution Theatre Company’s THE SHAKESPEARE CONSPIRACY

Murder, mystery and manhunts in Elizabethan England in 1593. How could Christopher Marlowe, a known spy and England's foremost playwright, be suspiciously murdered and quickly buried in an unmarked grave just days before he was to be tried for treason? How could William Shakespeare, an unknown actor who "held horses for the gentry while they watched the plays," become England's star playwright virtually overnight? A comedy-thriller that intertwines the two mysteries. It's a wild ride through the gay London theatre world as the city fights the black plague, the hunt for Catholics, and the questions about Marlowe's murder. Quickly the crown becomes suspicious of Marlowe's mysterious murder and the similarities of his works with those of Shakespeare's. A manhunt begins with Marlowe being chased from city after city in Italy. The whole chase culminates in a final confrontation of excitement and murder. All the historical facts presented in the play are accurate.

By Ted Bacino & Rufus Cadigan, Directed by Aaron Mendoza, Stage Manager Lauren Wong,Cast: Haily Marshall (Constable Henry Maunder), Samuel Nickoloff (Thomas Kyd & William Shakespeare), Mark Phillips Schwamberger (Sir Thomas Walsingham), Zach Shafer (Christopher Marlowe), Euan Baker (The Right Honourable Lord Henry Wriothesley & Nicholas Skeres) and Todd Taylor (Sir Francis Walsingham). 

Performances run Sept. 4, 10 & 11, at 7:30pm, Sept. 5, 6, 12, & 13 at 8:00pm, Sept. 7, at 2:00pm, at the Abbey Theatre of Dublin, 5600 Post Rd. Dublin, Ohio  43017.  For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.evolutiontheatre.org/

Check out the first look below!

Photo Credit:  Jerri Shafer