Ghosts of Deathscribe Past – Dead Ringer

Happy October!

To celebrate the Halloween season, here’s a blast from the past, a wistful look back on a little thing I wrote for Wildclaw Theatre’s late lamented Deathscribe Horror Radio Play Competition. This live performance was at Lincoln Hall in Chicago, IL, December of 2016, and features actors Darren Hill, Lee Brophy, and David Fink, Foley Team Ele Matelan and Kevin Alves, and was directed by Aileen McGroddy.

Also, If you’d like to see it (or, rather, listen to it) audio-only, like a proper radio show, you can do so here.

Enjoy!

Horror à la the Bard

Hey Gang,

The mighty mighty Monstrous Books is coming out with another exciting short story collection, “Shakespeare Unleashed” – all horror stories based on Shakespeare plays! I submitted a sonnet to them, a nasty little piece based on Richard III. While they didn’t choose it for their collection, I thought I might post it here for your enjoyment.

The sonnet tells the fates of Richard’s young nephews – whom he arranged to be murdered so as to clear his path to the throne. Told from the point of view of the younger prince, the sonnet’s closing couplet reveals the boys’ ghosts tormenting Richard on the eve of the battle at Bosworth Field.

I hope you dig it! I had a lot of fun writing it, and it might spawn more Shakespeare Horror stories or sonnets that I post here – watch this space!

So, here’s a little bit of chilling verse for you called…

To Worry Lambs and Lap Their Gentle Blood

by Timothy Griffin

---

My brother Edward’s twelve; I, only nine;
Yet no more years shall either of us gain;
White, wriggling worms anon on us shall dine.
Our killers’ tears imply ‘twill be some pain.

“Condemn us not; we two are merely pawns,”
Implores the villain pinning Edward down.
“We must deprive thee both of further dawns,
For thou standst ‘twixt thine Uncle and the crown.”

Then Edward lieth still, in murdered sleep.
My knave doth blench, beseeches me for grace,
Then blubbers sobs; he hath the gall to weep
As he doth press the pillow to my face.

Now shades, we stare with bleak, transparent eyes.
At ‘G’ we glare, and shriek – “DESPAIR AND DIE!”

© Timothy Griffin 2022

Leave a comment below & spread the word!

Timmy G! Back onstage! Jekyll & Hyde!

I’m back performing in Jekyll & Hyde with the Idle Muse Theater Company – here’s the juice:

What: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

Where: The Edge Off-Broadway Theater in the Edgewater neighborhood: 1133 W Catalpa Ave, Chicago, IL 60640 (1 block south of Bryn Mawr & Broadway)

When: Previews: September 22 & 23, 2022, 8pm

Opening: September 24, 2022, 8pm
Performance Run: September 24 – October 23, 2022 (Thur-Sat 8pm, Sundays 3pm)

Tix on sale: http://www.idlemuse.org/ (Click “Tickets” at the top of the page). 

I’m pretty sure the theater will require masks – and, possibly, proof of vaccination, so snap a pic of your vax card.

Hope to see you there!

Here, Have a Nightmare – Deathscribe XII

EDIT 03/22/2020:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the March 30th production of Deathscribe has been cancelled. I wish you all health and safety. –TimmyG

 

I’m thrilled to announce that one of my stories has been chosen as a finalist in DEATHSCRIBE, Wildclaw Theater’s annual Horror Radio play competition – for the FOURTH time! (see info about my previous Deathscribe finalist shows here, here, and here.)

Here, Have a Nightmare will be performed live at DEATHSCRIBE XII (that’s twelve) on Monday, March 30, 2020, at the Den Theater, 1333 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, at 8 o’clock in the P.M. Tickety info can be found at Wildclaw’s website.

BE THERE OR BE ABSENT

“Subject #9” – Updated 02/03/2020

Update 02/03/2020: you can hear the performance of “Subject #9” here.

My play, “Subject #9,” has been chosen for this year’s Deathscribe plays festival.

Directed by Elizabeth Lovelady and featuring Moira Begale, Elisabeth Del Toro, Dave Skvarla, and Joseff Stevenson, it’s in contention for the Bloody Axe award. I’m thrilled to be part of this annual Chicago theatre tradition once again.

 

“Imaginary Fiend” – official selection of the HEAR Now Festival!

My short play, “Imaginary Fiend,” is an official selection of the 2017 HEAR Now Audio Fiction and Arts Festival in Kansas City, MO. The recording of the piece is from a live performance at Wildclaw Theatre‘s 2015 Deathscribe* short plays festival and was directed by Elly Green.

Thanks to Wildclaw and the HEAR Now Festival!

* Writers: the submission window for Deathscribe 2017 is open until July 31!

Deathscribe 2016 – Updated 02/03/2020

Update 02/03/2020: You can hear the performance of “Dead Ringer” from the 2016 Deathscribe show here.

 

This year’s Deathscribe competition has chosen another of my plays to battle for the coveted Bloody Axe award! “Dead Ringer” will be directed by Aileen McGroddy and featuring actors Dave Fink, Lee Brophy and Darren Hill.

Monday, December 5, 2016 @ 8pm
Lincoln Hall
2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614

Click here to buy tickets.

 

Deadworry in St. Louis

This past weekend I attended a production of my full-length horror/comic play “Deadworry” at East Alton-Wood River Community High School near St. Louis. Congrats and many thanks to the cast and crew!

Deathscribe 2015 – Updated 02/03/2020

Update 02/03/2020: You can hear the performance of “Imaginary Fiend” here.

 

I’m thrilled to announce that my short play, “Imaginary Fiend” has been selected as part of Wildclaw Theatre’s annual horror plays festival, “Deathscribe.”

The event is on Monday, Dec. 7, 2015 at 7pm, at the Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse in Chicago.

See you there!

 

Richard III photos and fight video

I recently played the title role in Shakespeare’s Richard III at Oakton Community College. I also choreographed the fights for the show. I’ve posted new photos from the production in the Theatre Gallery, and a video of the final Richard v. Richmond fight is up on vimeo.

Richard III, Oakton Community College