Wed 15 Apr, 7:30pm - 10:00pm
Thu 16 Apr, 7:30pm - 10:00pm
Fri 17 Apr, 7:30pm - 10:00pm
Sat 18 Apr, 7:30pm - 10:00pm
Sun 19 Apr, 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Tue 21 Apr, 7:30pm - 10:00pm
Wed 22 Apr, 7:30pm - 10:00pm
Thu 23 Apr, 7:30pm - 10:00pm
Fri 24 Apr, 7:30pm - 10:00pm
Sat 25 Apr, 7:30pm - 10:00pm


“I will have poetry in my life. And adventure. And love. Love above all.”

A wildly playful, funny, and romantic work of historical fiction “Shakespeare In Love”, directed by Pam Logan and Amanda Tollemache, with Liz McKay as Musical Director and brought to life by local actors, launches the Marlborough Repertory Society at the Boathouse Theatre’s 2026 season.

So what’s it about?

A penniless and indebted to two demanding producers, struggling young playwright William Shakespeare is tormented by writer’s block until he meets the beautiful Viola de Lesseps, daughter of a wealthy merchant, whose fiery passion for poetry and drama leaves her secretly longing to be an actor.

Both are despondent when they learn that Viola’s father has promised her to the stuffy Lord Wessex in order to gain a title for their family. Under the veil of secrecy, Will and Viola’s passionate love affair becomes the basis of the very play he is writing – Romeo and Juliet. With opening night – and the wedding day – fast approaching, the plots race toward a parallel conclusion. Will it all work out in the end or are the two star-crossed lovers destined for tragedy?


“Makes you feel grateful to be alive.” / Independent
“A heady celebration of the act of theatre.” / Guardian
“A swooning delight.” / Daily Mail
“A joyous celebration of theatre.” / Daily Telegraph
“An absolute joy from beginning to end.” / Daily Express

Shakespeare in Love is a play with music that was adapted for the stage by Tony Award® and Olivier Award®-winning writer Lee Hall, based on the screenplay by Academy Award®-winning writer Marc Norman and Tony Award®, Olivier Award®, and Academy Award®-winning writer Tom Stoppard.

It is a passionate and fun celebration of Shakespeare and the art of theatre in everyday language.

The play uses many words and scenes from Shakespeare’s own works, especially Romeo and Juliet. It also includes familiar Elizabethan theatre traditions such as disguises, mistaken identities, secret romances, sword fights, a funny nurse, and even ghosts. A play performed within the play adds to the fun and excitement. Shakespeare in Love is a lively, romantic, and entertaining story, full of humour, adventure, and passion, set in the world of Renaissance England. Not to be missed!

An Amateur Production or Community Theatre production of Shakespeare in Love by special arrangement with Samuel French and The Play Bureau.