Author Archives: jaredmcdaris

Cordelius, so used to doing what he wants when he wants, experiences a sharp reversal of fortune on the matriarchal isle of Amosa, where his reputation as a young man of “looser virtue” places him under the supervision of Dame … Continue reading →

It is my habit, when writing a play, to put my own opinions in the mouths of low-ranking characters whom few people respect. When possible, I also like to make sure those characters are hypocrites and/or undercut at some point. I … Continue reading →

Scene 1.2 was the first scene I wrote for The Wayward Women. It was inspired by one of my earliest and most enjoyable experiences with Unrehearsed Shakespeare: the Gauge scene from Richard II. The mass of noblemen petulantly throwing their … Continue reading →

Julian and Cordelius’ relationship is inspired by a verse play I started ten years ago and never finished, about a cheese thief and a goat thief in central France. The two thieves (Gorbaduc and Androboros) happened upon a slain count … Continue reading →

Perhaps not surprisingly, Aquiline’s wooing of Cordelius mirrors Hal’s wooing of Katherine, though it lacks the sinister undertones of conquest. Like Katherine, Cordelius has been removed from his seat of power and is very much a fish out of water. … Continue reading →

Writing a consequence-free boozer is never easy for me (being a teetotaler), but I took some solace in Grendela’s strong, thinly-disguised hypocrisy. Though she paints herself as a blue-collar, salt-of-the-earth rogue, she makes a clear distinction between highborn and lowborn … Continue reading →

“The Duel” pits two cliches against each other. On one hand, we have Cordelius: the cocky man who is invariably put down in a physical confrontation with a more experienced woman. On the other hand, we have Dame Anu: the pompous … Continue reading →

Here are some flattering words from a debut audience member, Patrick Bushnell “Hey Chicago friends, I had the pleasure of seeing a very entertaining play in the Shakespearean style last night. Enjoy all of the word-play, sharp wit, and bawdiness … Continue reading →

Dame Anu’s Letter Speech is an obvious homage to Malvolio’s Letter Speech in Twelfth Night. Although it has been “streamlined,” removing any interjections from other characters, and it lacks the perennially perplexing puzzler, “M.O.A.I.,” I think Anu’s letter still offers some … Continue reading →

Aquiline’s Moon Speech is a direct parallel of Prince Hal’s Sun Speech from Henry IV Part 1. Hal’s speech always struck me as smug and superior; he seems to be insisting that it’s okay for him to fart around like … Continue reading →