Sweet William | Enchanting

Sweet William
or Born to be Bard
by Neill Pickard

In collaboration with distinguished New Zealand writer and composer, Neill Pickard QSM, Enchanting Productions is thrilled to announce the first ever multi-generational production of Sweet William or Born to be Bard.

"Mr Pickard's lively and witty show depicts Shakespeare's boyhood in Stratford-on-Avon, his youthful marriage and domestic situation, early struggles as a writer in plague-ridden London, entanglements with the "Dark Lady" and the enigmatic Earl of Southampton, and the flowering of his literary genius." It also features Shakepeare's son, Hamnet singing Greensleeves.

The show incorporates a variety of musical styles from jazz to rock, ballads to blues and swing to madrigals, and will be accompanied by a live band (including Richie Pickard) at The Piano from 16-18 October 2026.

SWEET WILLIAM CAST LIST:

Miss Rutledge - Olivia Singleton

Thomas - Theo Thomsen

Melissa - Katherine Lord

William Shakespeare - Nic Kyle

Queen Elizabeth I - Juliet Reynolds-Midgley

Dick Tarleton (Jester) - Stephen Evans

Young William Shakespeare - Ben Cumberpatch

Young Gilbert Shakespeare - Mackenzie Holcroft

Young Joan Shakespeare - Leah Jordan

Young Anne Shakespeare - Eleanor Hegarty

John Shakespeare - Jonathan Densem

Mary Shakespeare - Linda Hicks

Middle Joan Shakespeare - Jessie Whitehead

Young Richard Shakespeare - Theo Thomsen

Anne Whateley - Amy Potts

Male quartet - Ben Cumberpatch, Billy Gyde, Oscar Stove, Thomas Flavall

Yokels - Billy Gyde, Thomas Flavall

Anne Hathaway - Eve Kelly Lyford

Fulk Sandells - Sean Lean-Massey

John Richardson - Reuben Oh

Will Kemp - William Broadmore

George Bryan - Sean Lean-Massey

Lord Hunsdon - John Bayne

Emilia Bassano - Kimberley Fenton

John Hemmings - Oscar Stove

Richard Burbage - Reuben Oh

Gus Phillips - Ben Cumberpatch

William Sly - Billy Gyde

Henry Wriothesley (Earl of Southampton) - James R Howey

Robert Devereux (Earl of Essex) - Sean Lean-Massey

John Florio - Jonathan Densem
Undertakers - Ben Cumberpatch, Billy Gyde

Richard Field - Stephen Evans

Countess of Southampton - Linda Hicks

Barmaid - Louisa Thomsen

Susanna Shakespeare - Lily Squire

Hamnet Shakespeare - Harry Pringle

Judith Shakespeare - Jessica Whitehead

Gilbert Shakespeare - Thomas Flavall

Joan Shakespeare - Matilda Tombros

Richard Shakespeare - Billy Gyde

Edmund Shakespeare - Mackenzie Holcroft

Hamlet - Reuben Oh

Lady Macbeth - Mia Hearne

Desdemona - Elizabeth Gilmore

King Lear - Stephen Evans

Joan Hart - Rhonda Tombros

William Hart Jr - Thomas Flavall

Susanna Hall - Rose Martin

John Hall - Sean Lean-Massey

Judith Quiney - Matilda Abbott

Thomas Quiney - Ben Cumberpatch

Elizabeth Hall - Miya Maré

Pages - Theo Thomsen, Mackenzie Holcroft

Children's Chorus:

Ariana Buxton

Aya Holden

Echo Holden

Samantha Hooper

Holly Martin

Saoirse McCall

Verity Oldham

Eva Rells

Amelia Thomas-Wright

Violet Winterbourn

Live Band

Richie Pickard - Double Bass/Bass Guitar

William Buffham - Keyboard

Heather Webb - Guitar

Adam Tobeck - Drums

Peau Halapua - Violin

Cameron Pearce and Oscar Stove - Trumpet

Alex Boot - Reeds

Creative Team

Director/Producer - Louise Glossop

Choreographer - Amy Potts

Music Arranger and Director - Gabriel Baird

Set Designer - Harold Moot

Crew

Set Builders - Harold Moot and Ben Glossop

Stage Manager - Gavin Bailey

Assistant Stage Manager - Carmen Wood

Lighting - Grant Robertson (The Light Site)

From those who know the show...

Those who have been in one of the numerous college productions of Sweet William in the past (including CBHS/Avonside Girls' in 1978, StAC/CGHS in 1986 and Cashmere High in 1995) will be able to tell you what a fabulous and fun show it is. When mentioned to one such actress recently she wrote back: "...how exciting that you are producing 'Sweet William' next year! I absolutely loved that show - definitely one of my all-time favourites. All those songs are forever etched in my mind and heart." Kate Trevor-Barnston (née Garside)

"Never a dull moment"

Professor of English literature, Richard Corballis, who reviewed one production, wrote: "Pickard's music is jaunty and his dialogue a clever pastishe of the genuine Shakespearean article."

"Love it!! Very funky and reminds me of Jesus Christ Superstar a little bit."

- Nic Kyle

You don't want to miss this Shakespeare sensation. Book here and put 16th-18th October in your calendar now!

Many thanks to our fund providers and sponsors:

Pub Charity

The Piano's Next Generation Fund

Community Organisation Grants Scheme

Bridgewood Advisors

Hartnell Coolheat Ltd

Gary Cockram Ltd

TDG Duxton Dental Ltd

JBWere