'Why Will? The Seven Ages of Shakespeare Edition', The Dukes Library, Battle Abbey

'Why Will?' explores the importance of Shakespeare by presenting speeches and scenes from The Bard’s plays to convey the impact his works have had on our everyday lives. Jumping from character to character, play to play, Stephen John utilises ‘The Seven Ages of Man’ speech to its utmost by looking at the writer’s life and works in seven stages. This one man show was first produced in 2021 with summer shows at Half House Farm exclusively and a winter visit to The Stables Theatre; now in 2026, Bowler Crab return to the show by popular demand with a redesigned and updated script.

Facilities at Battle Abbey School

• Performance is indoors for this show, through the Abbot's Hall in The Duke's Library.

  • To attend the event, please enter through the iconic Abbey Gates onto the Battle Abbey Grounds.

  • No English Heritage fee will be required to enter to see the show but…