Bard blood in Stratford as Shakespeare quits...

'Racism' allegation is much ado about nothing, says impersonator

- NATHAN PYNN News Reporter

WILLIAM Shakespeare impersonator has stepped down from his role amid a storm over alleged racist comments being made in the playwright's birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Paul Workman, aged 74 and often referred to as 'Mr Shakespeare, was a familiar figure in the Warwickshire town, having donned the bard's persona for the past eight years.

But before his planned participation in the town's revered Shakespeare birthday procession last month, Workman quit after Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council received a complaint alleging offensive remarks about “Muslims and Jews” he is said to have uttered in a pub the previous February.

Summoned by the council for a discussion over these allegations, Mr Workman chose to resign from his non-paying post, attributing his exit to the effects of “cancel culture”.

He admits his language might have been “triggering” for some but refutes any claims of racism. He does not recall his exact words from that evening, he says.