Shakespeare Mas Archive

Shakespeare Mas is a unique and celebrated part of the carnival festivities on the island of Carriacou, part of the tiny Caribbean island nation of Grenada. Here you will find photos, participant interviews, and performance videos taken by the author since 2009.

This striking performance event has taken place for at least 8 decades or more in the tiny villages of Carriacou. Local islanders dressed in a remarkable combination of Elizabethan and African-like costume pieces and masks recite speeches from Shakespeare plays, until suddenly violent fights between one or another of the pairs of players break out. They beat each other with reinforced leather-bound sticks for weapons, their aggression gathering heat and rage. Eventually a designated referee calms the battle and the players return to a calm recitation of their speeches.