Shakes Versus Shav
Synopsis: Shakes Versus Shav’, a madcap puppet film featuring the voices of Colm Meaney as George Bernard Shaw and Derek Jacobi as William Shakespeare, is a new Irish short based on the last play completed by legendary Irish playwright and Nobel Prizewinner, George Bernard Shaw.
In a knockabout Punch & Judy style, Shaw himself battles it out with William Shakespeare in a war of words to decide who is the greater writer.
Written barely a year before he died in 1950 at the grand old age of 94, ‘Shakes Versus Shav’ was a final opportunity for the great GBS to celebrate his work and legacy, while taking a sly swipe at what he saw as Shakespeare’s overblown reputation. The film is true to Shaw’s original play: both funny and poignant, with laugh out loud slapstick moments, flashes of genuine drama and scathing wit. It’s a fresh and fitting tribute to two of the greatest writers in the English language … with strings attached.
Released to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the play’s publication in 2024, ‘Shakes Versus Shav’ is co-directed by puppeteer Damian Farrell (Star Wars, Jurassic World, Dark Crystal) and documentary-maker Gerry Hoban. The film grew out of a previous collaboration between the two while working with Gabriel Byrne on the IFTA Award-winning documentary about George Bernard Shaw, “My Astonishing Self”.
‘Shakes Versus Shav’ has been produced by Damian Farrell, Elaine Gallagher and Martha Moloney for Caboom, and is funded by Screen Ireland/Fís Éireann, along with RTÉ, Coimisiún na Meán and Section 481.
Damian Farrell is a director, puppeteer, and animator in television and film. With over 25 years of experience, Damo directs scripted comedy, puppet series, animation, hidden camera, and documentaries. He also directs commercials for many leading brands.
A former animation artist at Emerald City Productions and the Don Bluth Studio in the early nineties, and a Jim Henson-trained puppeteer, Damo’s breadth of experience across many different media has seen him work on projects with LucasFilm, Bad Robot, Disney, Sesame Workshop, The Muppets, BBC, CBBC, The Jim Henson Company, ITV and Double Z Enterprises.
Co-Director’s Biography - Damian Farrell, Gerry Hoban
DAMIAN FARRELL
Damian Farrell, has over thirty years of experience in television and film as a director, puppeteer and animator and serves as the creative director at Irish production company, Caboom. His portfolio includes award-winning work in scripted comedy, puppet series, animation, and hidden camera shows for BBC, CBBC, RTÉ, Disney, and Nickelodeon. A former animation artist with Don Bluth and a Jim Henson-trained puppeteer, Damo’s breadth of experience across many different media has seen him work as a principal puppeteer on the ‘Star Wars’, ‘Dark Crystal’, ‘Muppet’ and ‘Jurassic World’ franchises as well as projects with LucasFilm, Bad Robot, Disney, Sesame Workshop, BBC, CBBC, The Jim Henson Company, ITV and Double Z Enterprises (home to Zig and Zag, Podge and Rodge, and Dustin the Turkey). He has directed the BAFTA-winning series of 'Gigglebiz' for CBeebies and the original series of CBBC’s ‘Class Dismissed’. Damo has also produced the multi award-winning stop-motion short film ‘Second To None’. And he has recently completed directing his third series of the RTS Award-winning Irish comedy series ‘Storybud’ for Kite Entertainment and RTÉJr and the first series of preschool puppet series ‘Dodge’s Pup School’ for BBC.
GERRY HOBAN
Gerry Hoban is a highly-acclaimed Irish documentary director & writer with more than 25 years of international experience. He has earned a reputation for working productively with onscreen talent, and is an acclaimed creator of powerful narratives which vividly bring major social, historical and cultural themes to life. Most recently, Gerry has directed a haunting look back at Ireland's worst air disaster at Tuskar Rock; a feature-length reappraisal of the death of Michael Collins; a three-part series on former State Pathologist, Marie Cassidy; an exploration of 100 years of Northern Ireland with Miriam O'Callaghan; a seriously enjoyable examination of the Irish love of swearing with Ardal O'Hanlon; and was story editor on the acclaimed 'Let The Rest of The World Go By', following the life, loves & tragedies of best friends Matt & Michael. Gerry won awards and universal critical acclaim for A Fanatic Heart – Bob Geldof's exploration of the life and work of WB Yeats, and ‘My Astonishing Self’
– Gabriel Byrne's thoughtful and impassioned piece on George Bernard Shaw. He also helmed the major international historical documentary Countdown to Calvary - a forensic investigation into the nal week of the life of Jesus, presented by Hugh Bonneville; and Joe Du y's poignant tributes to the children that died during both The Troubles and The Easter Rising. Currently, Gerry is in production on two BAI/CnM documentary projects, focusing on the decline in the priesthood in Ireland, and the work of stained glass artist, Harry Clarke.