News: A Once-Renowned Actor Rehearses "King Lear" in "The Last Audition," to Play the 2026 NYC Fringe

Paul Shearman / The Last Audition
Banjo & Bongo Productions, an independent theatre and screen production company dedicated to developing original, character-driven work, will present The Last Audition, written and performed by Paul Shearman and directed by David St John. The production will be presented as part of the 2026 New York City Fringe Festival with FRIGID New York at Chain Theatre Mainstage (312 W 36th St. 4th floor, New York, NY 10018) with performances on Wed April 1 at 7:40 pm, Sun April 5 at 12:20 pm, Thu April 9 at 6 pm, Wed April 15 at 6 pm & The Fri April 17 at 7:40 pm. 

Under the glow of a single ghost light, a once-renowned Shakespearean actor rehearses for a final audition for King Lear. As memory falters and reality intrudes, the stage becomes both refuge and reckoning. The Last Audition is a darkly funny, deeply human solo play about identity, legacy, and the quiet, complicated love between those who perform and those who care for them.

The creative team includes Voice Director Maile Cannon and Director David St John, an award-winning writer/director of short play competitions, as well as a multiple award winner in the 48 Hour Film Project in China and South Korea. Paul Shearman (Writer/Performer) is an established playwright whose work spans award-winning short films, stage plays, and 48-hour film festival projects. His writing is known for its strong character focus, emotional honesty, and exploration of memory, identity, and human resilience. With The Last Audition, Shearman tackles his most ambitious project to date: a 60-minute solo play that deepens his interest in intimate storytelling and theatrical truth. He also performs the role, bringing a lived-in understanding of language and character to the work. 

Tickets ($25) for The Last Audition are available for advance purchase at www.frigid.nyc. The performance will run approximately 55 minutes. Performances will also be available to livestream.

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