Mark My Words: Political Satire in “MacTRUMP”

Authors Ian Doescher and Jacopo della Quercia present MacTRUMP, a satire of American politics written in iambic pentameter in the style of Shakespeare that covers the first two years of the Trump presidency.

Their plot summary: No one thought that MacTrump—Lord of MacTrump Towers, Son of New York—would ascend to the highest position in the kingdom. Yet with the help of his unhappy but dutiful wife Lady MacTrump, his clever daughter Dame Desdivanka, and his coterie of advisers, MacTrump is comfortably ensconced in the White Hold as President of the United Fiefdoms, free to make proclamations to his subjects through his favorite messenger, McTweet.

The Democrati, mourning the loss of their cherished leader O’Bama, won’t give up without a fight. They still remember the disastrous reign of George the Lesser, and they can see Putain’s dark influence on MacTrump. Their greatest hope is MacMueller, tasked with investigating the plot that empowered MacTrump’s rise to the throne.

As Desdivanka schemes to overthrow her father’s councilors, and as Donnison and Ericson—trapped in their own Rosencrantz and Guildenstern-like storyline—prove useless to their father, MacTrump soon realizes he has no true allies.

Joining the conversation is Geoffrey Sheehan, co-founder of Capital Classics Theatre Company. He has served as an Artistic Associate, directing, acting, and producing many performances for the past 28 years. He also leads the popular Shakespeare Book Club at the West Hartford Library, now in its sixth year of lively discussions. Geoffrey is a professor and program coordinator of Theater Arts at Housatonic Community College. He received his B.F.A. from UConn and his M.A.L.S. in Theater from Wesleyan University.

A book sale and signing follows the talk.

Tickets are $15. Buy here.

The Mark My Words series is sponsored by The Wish You Well Foundation.

Connecticut Public — WNPR is the media sponsor for the Mark My Words series.