Shakespeare, Poe & Fiends at historic Fort Christina Nov. 1

Delaware Shakespeare invites audiences to join them outdoors for tales of spirits, mystery and hauntings from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 1, at historic Fort Christina in Wilmington.

Delaware Shakespeare may owe its origins, in part, to the so-called American Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, and Sunday, Nov. 1, will mark year nine of Del Shakes’ Bard-Poe pairing, now known as Shakespeare, Poe & Fiends. 

Delaware Shakespeare organizers are honored to be joined by Adam DePaul, storykeeper of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, a people who were living in the area before Swedish settlers arrived. DePaul will share a traditional telling of a Lenape myth. 

Del Shakes associate artist Newton Buchanan is working with the Quaker Hill Preservation Foundation to develop a suspenseful moment of local oral history from the Underground Railroad, which likely had a stop along the river rocks at Fort Christina. 

The 2020 cast also includes Del Shakes veterans Cassandra Alexander of “Romeo and Juliet”; Gregory Isaac, “The Merry Wives of Windsor”; Emily Schuman, “The Merchant of Venice”; Minou Pourshariati, previous Poe readings; and Natajia Sconiers, “Much Ado About Nothing”; as well as newcomers Adaeze Nwoko and Steve Wei. Matthew Mastronardi returns as five-time Shakespeare, Poe & Fiends director.

Violinist Amanda Robinson will supply an autumn-themed musical atmosphere. A volunteer from Kalmar Nyckel will be on hand to answer questions about the site history.

Poe’s “The Raven” will be featured, as will the unfortunately timely short story, “The Masque of the Red Death.” On the Shakespeare side, audiences will be treated to the murderous couple of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

Guests can purchase a timed admission slot, and then choose their path throughout Fort Christina where they will find actors ready to transfix visitors with readings of six different thrilling stories, all of which can be heard in just over an hour. All audience members must wear masks, and there will be space at each story location to maintain physical distance.

Tickets cost $20 for adults, and $15 for youth under 18. For more information including COVID-19 precautions and to purchase tickets, go to delshakes.org.