Close Menu

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest headlines from PapaLinc about news & entertainment.

    What's Hot

    Revealed: The big problem with the A-League grand final that NOBODY is talking about

    Wontumi Arrest: Minority walkout lacks strategic value

    Fresh Labor push for a new tax that will impact every Australian: What it means for you

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Lifestyle
    • Africa News
    • International
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube WhatsApp
    PapaLincPapaLinc
    • News
      • Africa News
      • International
    • Entertainment
      • Lifestyle
      • Movies
      • Music
    • Politics
    • Sports
    Subscribe
    PapaLincPapaLinc
    You are at:Home»News»International»Shakespeare impersonator, 74, quits job in Bard’s birthplace over racism claim – but now he says it’s much ado about nothing
    International

    Shakespeare impersonator, 74, quits job in Bard’s birthplace over racism claim – but now he says it’s much ado about nothing

    Papa LincBy Papa LincMay 3, 2025No Comments5 Mins Read0 Views
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Telegram LinkedIn Tumblr Email Reddit
    Shakespeare impersonator, 74, quits job in Bard’s birthplace over racism claim – but now he says it’s much ado about nothing
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Email


    A William Shakespeare impersonator has quit after being accused of making racist remarks in the Bard’s birthplace.

    Paul Workman, 74, better known as ‘Mr Shakespeare’, has been a regular sight in Stratford-upon-Avon over the last eight years.

    But before taking part in the town’s annual Shakespeare birthday parade last month, he bowed out after Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council received a complaint.

    He is accused of making offensive remarks, which are understood to have concerned ‘Muslims and Jews’, in a pub in February.

    The town council, who appointed Mr Workman to the role, summoned him to a meeting to discuss the allegations.

    However, Mr Workman resigned from his unpaid position before the meeting took place claiming he was the victim of ‘cancel culture.’

    The 74-year-old insists he cannot remember the exact words he used but has confirmed some people may have found his comments ‘triggering’.

    He said: ‘One thing I do know is that I am not racist. I feel I’m being smeared by people who are jealous of my position and my success.

    Shakespeare impersonator, 74, quits job in Bard’s birthplace over racism claim – but now he says it’s much ado about nothing

    Paul Workman, 74, better known as ‘Mr Shakespeare’, has been a regular sight in Stratford-upon-Avon over the last eight years

    Before taking part in the town's annual Shakespeare birthday parade last month, he bowed out after Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council received a complaint

    Before taking part in the town’s annual Shakespeare birthday parade last month, he bowed out after Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council received a complaint

    He is accused of making offensive remarks, which are understood to have concerned 'Muslims and Jews', in a pub in February

    He is accused of making offensive remarks, which are understood to have concerned ‘Muslims and Jews’, in a pub in February

    ‘I am older and I have my views but I would never be offensive to or about anyone.

    ‘I’d gone to the pub with my friend to discuss putting on a pottery class for people in a nearby village.

    ‘I’d had two or three pints and suddenly another chap came along and was butting into our conversation which I thought was a bit rude.

    ‘We ended up talking about politics and World War Two and I was comparing what Russia is doing to Ukraine to what the Nazis did.

    ‘I can’t remember the exact words I used but my point was that you have to get into the minds of the people involved.

    ‘I think I said something about Muslims and Jews and it got blown out of all proportion.

    Mr Workman resigned from his unpaid position and claiming he was the victim of 'cancel culture'

    Mr Workman resigned from his unpaid position and claiming he was the victim of ‘cancel culture’

    He insists he cannot remember the exact words he used but has confirmed some people may have found his comments 'triggering'

    He insists he cannot remember the exact words he used but has confirmed some people may have found his comments ‘triggering’

    ‘Suddenly I was told I should go home. I wasn’t making a speech, I was just chatting to my friend in a pub.

    ‘We were putting the world to rights but I was told by someone that what I’d said was inappropriate so I left because I didn’t want any trouble.’

    Mr Workman says weeks later he discovered two people, including one who had not been in the pub at the time, had complained to the council.

    He said: ‘I received a letter from the council summoning me to a meeting to discuss my role as Mr Shakespeare.

    ‘I didn’t want to get booted out and be another victim of cancel culture so I got ahead of the game and stepped down.

    ‘I know I wasn’t going to have the chance to defend myself but I just thought it was for the best.

    He said: 'One thing I do know is that I am not racist. I feel I'm being smeared by people who are jealous of my position and my success'

    He said: ‘One thing I do know is that I am not racist. I feel I’m being smeared by people who are jealous of my position and my success’

    Mr Workman says weeks later he discovered two people, including one who had not been in the pub at the time, had complained to the council

    Mr Workman says weeks later he discovered two people, including one who had not been in the pub at the time, had complained to the council

    ‘I now regret not telling my side of the story because I feel like I’ve been victimised on the basis of pub gossip and rumour.

    ‘I’ve been going to the pub for years but it does attract lots of left wing woke types so I shouldn’t have been surprised that someone got offended.’

    Mr Workman has lived in Stratford-upon-Avon for 38 years and runs a Hamlet-themed B&B which featured in Channel 4’s Four in a Bed TV series.

    The widowed grandfather says since he resigned he has been flooded with requests to return as the town’s official Shakespeare impersonator.

    He said: ‘What I said may have been triggering for some people and for that I apologise.

    ‘However, I did not expect to have to resign from being the town’s Shakespeare impersonator. I loved doing it and I was good at it.

    The widowed grandfather says since he resigned he has been flooded with requests to return as the town's official Shakespeare impersonator

    The widowed grandfather says since he resigned he has been flooded with requests to return as the town’s official Shakespeare impersonator

    ‘Since I stepped down I’ve been inundated by people saying how badly treated I’ve been and how I shouldn’t have been forced to quit.

    ‘I will really miss being Stratford’s Mr Shakespeare. It’s a big role with responsibility.

    ‘I’m somewhat of a celebrity around Stratford, so it’s going to be hard to adapt.’

    The town council confirmed they have replaced Mr Workman with another impersonator who will perform his duties accompanied by a female actor playing Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna.

    Town clerk Caroline Nash said: ‘Following a complaint regarding alleged comments made in a public setting, Mr Workman was invited to a meeting to discuss this matter.

    ‘He did not take up this offer and we then received a response resigning from his voluntary role.

    ‘We acknowledged and that Mr Workman for his past service.’



    Source link

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp Telegram Email
    Previous ArticleForget NRL in Vegas. Hollywood has come to Brisbane for starstruck footy fans at Magic Round
    Next Article We don’t want you playing in the mud
    Papa Linc

    Related Posts

    Fresh Labor push for a new tax that will impact every Australian: What it means for you

    May 30, 2025

    Huge heart attack risk linked to dirty habit that thousands of Australians are doing daily

    May 30, 2025

    Why Pauline Hanson is the surprise massive WINNER of the election

    May 30, 2025
    Ads
    Top Posts

    A Plus questions the hypocrisy of NPP members who remained silent about corruption for 8 years, only to speak out after losing power.

    December 26, 202443 Views

    Here’s why Ghana Airways collapsed in 2004

    November 5, 202442 Views

    Urgent search continues for Paul Barning after he was attacked by shark during fishing competition

    February 23, 202538 Views

    Kenyan Senator breaks silence on her alleged intimate affairs, secret child with John Agyekum Kufuor

    December 21, 202433 Views
    Don't Miss
    Sports May 30, 2025

    Revealed: The big problem with the A-League grand final that NOBODY is talking about

    On Saturday, Melbourne City will tackle arch rivals Melbourne Victory in the A-League men’s Grand Final…

    Wontumi Arrest: Minority walkout lacks strategic value

    Fresh Labor push for a new tax that will impact every Australian: What it means for you

    I would have loved to play in the final of Unity Cup

    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • WhatsApp

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest headlines from PapaLinc about news & entertainment.

    Ads
    About Us
    About Us

    Your authentic source for news and entertainment.
    We're accepting new partnerships right now.

    Email Us: info@papalinc.com
    For Ads on our website and social handles.
    Email Us: ads@papalinc.com
    Contact: +1-718-924-6727

    Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest YouTube WhatsApp
    Our Picks

    Revealed: The big problem with the A-League grand final that NOBODY is talking about

    Wontumi Arrest: Minority walkout lacks strategic value

    Fresh Labor push for a new tax that will impact every Australian: What it means for you

    Most Popular

    April 3, 2023 – Russia-Ukraine information

    October 17, 20240 Views

    ‘I’ve by no means seen something like this:’ Certainly one of China’s hottest apps has the flexibility to spy on its customers, say specialists

    October 17, 20240 Views

    DKB reacts to criticism following his 24-hour economic system skit

    October 17, 20240 Views
    © 2025 PapaLinc. Designed by LiveTechOn LLC.
    • News
      • Africa News
      • International
    • Entertainment
      • Lifestyle
      • Movies
      • Music
    • Politics
    • Sports

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please support us by disabling your Ad Blocker.