THE scandalous life of a 16th century playboy who many believe to be the real William Shakespeare is being staged in Worcestershire.

The Man Who Was Hamlet, being performed by Edinburgh Festival stalwart George Dillon at Pershore’s Number 8 next month, is the story of Edward de Vere, the controversial Earl of Oxford who is often cited as the real author of Shakespeare's works.

While De Vere was a disgraceful aristocrat, Dillon has been the toast of the Fringe thanks to his one-man shows.

Described as a spellbinding, compelling, electrifying lesson in drama, this 2009 work received a bevy of five star reviews.

Actor/director Steven Berkoff, a vocal supporter of Dillion’s work, said it is a lesson in the art of acting for would-be thespians”, while the Scotsman declared it “absorbing and thought-provoking... a romp, and a clever one too.”

Edward de Vere was a courtier, swordsman, adventurer, playwright and poet.

He killed a servant, made love to Queen Elizabeth, abandoned his wife, got his mistress pregnant, was maimed in a duel, travelled in Italy, was captured by pirates, fought the Armada, was imprisoned in the Tower of London, kept two companies of players, and then disappeared from history for 15 years before dying virtually bankrupt.

In youth he was hailed as the best of the secret court writers, but no plays bearing his name have survived and his poetry suddenly stopped after the first invention of 'William Shake-speare'.

Dillon’s show asks whether de Vere the inspiration and role model for Hamlet... or was he really the author?

For tickets to see it at the Number 8 on Friday, January 14, priced £10, call 01386 555488 or see number8.org.