Arlington International Film Festival and Arlington Friends of the Drama Co-Present Burbage!!! Or The Man That Made Shakespeare Famous Sept. 22, 8 p.m.

Organizers of the Arlington International Film Festival have announced another in a series of pre-festival public events. A Benefit Performance of Neil McGarry’s one-man show, Burbage!!! Or The Man That Made Shakespeare Famous, will be presented at Arlington Friends of the Drama on September 22nd to benefit the Festival which opens for a five-day run on October 17th at Arlington’s Regent Theatre.Neil McGarry, a professional actor trained at the National Shakespeare Conservatory, will perform the play written for him by Nick Minella…a play honoring the English actor, Richard Burbage. He will perform the play on the AFD stage (22 Academy Street) on September 22nd at 8PM. McGarry is a member of Actor’s Equity Association and SAG – AFTRA and is an active supporter of the Arlington International Film Festival. He has offered his performance at AFD as a benefit to the Festival. Tickets are $15 and will be sold at the door.

 Richard Burbage (6 January 1568 – 13 March 1619) was an English actor and theatre owner. McGarry, who plays Burbage in the play, says of him, "… [He] created every Shakespeare lead. He first played Hamlet, he first played Othello, he first played Macbeth ... he created Richard III."

 AIFF (Arlington International Film Festival) is dedicated to developing, promoting, and increasing multicultural awareness and understanding in our town and beyond. The Festival also stresses the importance of the artistic and educational value of independent film in this endeavor. AIFF invites film producers and directors, from a variety of ethnicities within the US as well as beyond our borders, to participate. Local artists are especially encouraged to submit entries.