Who hath a birthday?

William Shakespeare’s birthday was celebrated during NL drama fest with cake and some of his greatest characters.

"We dies for a bitta drama." was the motto of the festival.
Melissa Wong/My Online Journalism Blog

By Melissa Wong

My Online Journalism Blog

After a ucalay performance, a cake was served and play was performed in honour of a long-dead English playwright on his birthday.

April 21 to 27 is a special week because it is the 70^th anniversary of the NL drama society festival program that will be held at the St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre. This week is also a special week because on April 23, William Shakespeare’s birthday, the drama society put on the play The Maltese Bodkin by David Belke. 

Paul Wilson (left) played the character, Shakespeare, on stage and when
members of the audience took their photographs with him. He is posing
for a photo with journalism Melissa Wong (right). Submitted Photo

“It’s my 455 birthday,” Wilson said as the character of Shakespeare. 

During the play’s intermission, Shakespeare and some of the staff served
birthday cake to the audience. Melissa Wong/My Online Journalism Blog 

The Maltese Bodkin is both a Shakespearean play and a 1940s
 film noir performed by a cast of 18 performers and 23
background actors. Melissa Wong/My Online Journalism Blog 

Before the play began, the Take Not Music School from Mount Pearl
played their ucalalys for the growing audience.
Melissa Wong/My Online Journalism Blog

Deanna Skinner-King with Host Committee participated in two draws
to raise money for the drama festival. Melissa Wong/My Online Journalism Blog

“All the proceeds are going back towards the drama festival,” Skinner-King said. 

Meet the players. The cast of The Maltese Bodkin ladies and
gents. Melissa Wong/My Online Journalism Blog

Meet the players and learn their names.
Don't forget to acknowledge the crew too.
Melissa Wong/My Online Journalism Blog

After the play some of the audience and cast went downtown to celebrate, but others went home because they had been working on the play since 8.a.m. and were ready for bed. 

If you would like more information, view https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-Af5NIUtho

To support all my content, please check out my Patreon account at https://www.patreon.com/mewong936
Journalist.wong@gmail.com

@MilsongWong

©Melissa Wong