ONE MAN SHOWS

Richard regularly performs these three 50-minute shows which explore what might have happened to some of Shakespeare's best-loved characters in the years following the end of the play which featured them.

He has performed these at venues all over the UK as well as in Canada.

WHIRLIGIG OF TIME

To Hell with Anger Management!

Three months after Malvolio from Twelfth Night vowed to be revenged on the “whole pack of them”, he relates, with a great deal of satisfaction, how skilfully he has kept his word.

He now knows, better than anyone in Illyria, that he who laughs last, laughs longest.

WHIRLIGIG OF TIME has been seen at venues all over the UK and beyond, including:
Edinburgh Fringe
Trebah Garden, Cornwall
Helston Old Chapel
Barnstaple Fringe
Lichfield Festival.

A new version was presented in 2024 by Tortive Theatre at the Shakespeare Festival in Romania, performed by Rob Leatham. This production was seen at the Edinburgh Fringe in '24 and subsequently toured nationally

REVIEWS:

Live Screening February 2021
OnComm Award nominated

EDINBURGH FRINGE 2021
​★★★★★ Rebecca Vines - BROADWAY BABY
​'The Whirligig of Time – is an insight into Malvolio’s determination to be ‘revenged on the whole pack’ who have made his life a misery. Richard Curnow weaves a confident spell, drawing the sell-out audience into their little lives with a skilful luxuriation in the narrative. This classy vignette delivers humour, pathos and a wealth of linguistic winks ensuring we all leave feeling a fresh spring in our intellectual step.'

What they said at the Fringe Fest in Barnstaple, 2023
'Fantastic, moving and thought-provoking show. Interweaving the text with his imaginings. Funny and tender.'
‘Excellent performance – great changes of mood and insight into Malvolio’s tortured mind.’
‘Brilliant. Captivated all the way through. Humour and dark side of humanity. Brilliant sequel to Twelfth Night.’
‘Loved this play it had everything and I was completely wrapped up in the story. Really made me think too. Thank you.’
‘A Tour De Force!! Brilliant performance, tight structure and super content. Glad we caught it!’

CALL ME OZ

In his youth, Osric, a stylish and sensitive courtier witnessed the slaughter of the Danish Royal family at Elsinore Castle.

He's not spoken about it for over forty years, but, after a session with his therapist, embarks upon a series of media interviews triggering an unstoppable stream of revelations.

CALL ME OZ has been seen at venues all over the UK and beyond, including:
Brighton Fringe
​The Kings Head Theatre, Islington
Bridge House Theatre, Penge
Trebah Garden Cornwall
Helston Old Chapel
​St. Ives Arts Club
Edinburgh Fringe
Edmonton Fringe, Canada

REVIEWS:
​The King’s Head Theatre, London. August 2018 as part of the Queer Season.
​★★★★★
'A short but excellent one-man show which is funny, poignant and interesting. Highly recommended.'
'A good energy projected on stage and he carries himself very well, with subtle changes in each scene. If you enjoy monologues and Hamlet then this is definitely one, you’ll very much enjoy!'
★★★★
'This monologue is indeed – “A hit, a palpable hit.” '                                               Reviewsgate.com

Academy at King Edward, Edmonton Canada
★★★★★
'Richard Curnow, playing Oz and all of the supporting characters in this one-man show, is absolutely delightful. He brings both wit and folly to the stage, providing a hilarious look in this follow up to one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. He dances and bounces across the stage, perfectly embodying both Oz and the crew of media personalities he encounters.'
If you’re looking for something both funny and intelligent, then make sure to check out Call Me Oz."                                                                                                       Justin Bell Edmonton Journal

HAPPY AS LARRY

Friar Lawrence faces criticism over star-crossed lovers’ fiasco.

It is a year since the tragic deaths of Romeo & Juliet and the Friar is questioning his faith whilst attempting to rebuild his life

HAPPY AS LARRY has been seen all over the country and beyond under its current title and also in a previous guise as DOG, BOOK AND SCANDAL.
Venues have included:
Helston Old Chapel
Edmonton Fringe, Canada

REVIEWS:
OnComm Award nominated Live Screening February 2021
EDINBURGH FRINGE.
​

'Curnow’s charismatic performance as the Friar is stand-out as it is tender, tragic and comic all at once. He switches between Friar Lawrence and the characters he meets along his journey effortlessly, his renditions of the Nurse and Prince Escalus being particularly amusing.'

                                                                                                 ★★★★ Ellie Harrington - August 14, 2021      ​
'Happy As Larry the star-crossed aftermath. There's lots of smart humour written into this inspired play...'.                                                      FRINGE REVIEW: Roger Levesque: August 16, 2022