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  • Birth of Merlin: The Childe Hath Found His Father, The by William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) and William Rowley (1585 - 1626) | LibriVox's New Releases

    Merlin. King Arthur. War betwist British and Saxons. Uther Pendragon. Collapsing castle foundations, Magicians and spirits and fighting dragons and a blazing comet. Good entertaining stuff. But is it Shakespeare? The 1662 first printed edition of this play says it was written by William Shakespeare and William Rowley. It doesn't appear that anyone any longer believes that Shakespeare was actually involved, and probably this is entirely Rowley - who co-authored plays with a fair number of other authors of the period. Rowley also acted in London troupes, including Shakespeare's The King's Players, often in low comedy Clown parts he wrote for himself such as is found in this play. - Summary by ToddHW

    Cast list:
    Aurelius, King of Brittain: Mike Manolakes
    Vortiger, King of (Welsh) Brittain: Craig Franklin
    Uter Pendragon, the Prince, Brother to Aurelius: JBerkhouse
    Donobert, a Nobleman, and Father to Constantia and Modesta: VocalPenguin
    The Earl of Gloster, and Father to Edwyn: Algy Pug
    Edoll, Earl of Chester and General to King Aurelius: Hamlet
    Cador, Earl of Cornwal, and Suitor to Constantia: Quin Herron
    Edwyn, Son to the Earl of Gloster, and Suitor to Modesta: Tomas Peter
    Toclio, Nobleman: Adrian Stephens
    Oswald, Nobleman: Andrew Gaunce
    Merlin the Prophet: Alan Mapstone
    Anselme the Hermit, after Bishop of Winchester: Jim Locke
    Clown: ToddHW
    Sir Nichodemus Nothing, a Courtier: Greg Giordano
    The Devil, father of Merlin: Phil Schempf
    Ostorius, the Saxon General: CassiopeiaSparks
    Octa, a Saxon Nobleman: Tchaikovsky
    Proximus, a Saxon Magician: Scott McKinley
    Bishop: Derek Trial
    Saxon Lord 1: Grace Buchanan
    Saxon Lord 2: Alan Mapstone
    Edols Captain : Derek Trial
    Gentleman 1: Wayne Cooke
    Gentleman 2: Seaquill
    A little Antick Spirit: Devorah Allen
    Artesia, Sister to Ostorius the Saxon General: Jenn Broda
    Constantia, daughter to Donobert: Lydia
    Modesta, daughter to Donobert: Linda Olsen Fitak
    Jone Goe-too't, Mother of Merlin: Sonia
    A Waiting-woman to Artesia: Joanna Michal Hoyt
    Lucina, Queen of the Shades: Availle
    Armel: Sandra Schmit
    Plesgeth: Grace Buchanan
    Messenger: Grace Buchanan
    Stage Directions: David Purdy
    Editing: ToddHW