The Herbal Bed

The Herbal Bed
Poster for the 1998 US production
Written by	Peter Whelan
Date premiered	1996
Place premiered	The Other Place Stratford-upon-Avon
Original language	English
Subject	Shakespeare's daughter is accused of adultery
Genre	Period piece
Setting	1613, Stratford-upon-Avon, England

The Herbal Bed (1996) is a play by Peter Whelan, written specifically for the Royal Shakespeare Company. The play is set in the year 1613 and is about Susanna Hall, daughter of William Shakespeare, who is accused of adultery with local haberdasher Rafe Smith. Her husband, Dr John Hall, is suspicious of their relationship, but stands up for his wife when she takes her accuser to court for slander. Though Susanna's father is regularly mentioned, his name is never specified and he never appears. The play ends as he is about to enter.

In the original 1996 production at The Other Place theatre, the leading role of John Hall was played by Liam Cunningham. Susanna was played by Teresa Banham. The accuser Jack Lane was played by David Tennant and Smith by Joseph Fiennes. The production was directed by Michael Attenborough.

During 1997 the play had a successful run at the Duchess Theatre in London's West End. John Hall was played by Lorcan Cranitch. In 1998, a NYC production played at the Eugene O'Neill Theater with an all-American cast, including Armand Schultz (Rafe), Tuck Milligan (John), and Laila Robins (Susanna). The NYC production was also directed by Michael Attenborough.

Scene one: In the herbal garden outside the Halls's residence, raffish medical student Jack Lane and pious haberdasher Rafe Smith discuss the visit of the local bishop. As the bishop and his entourage emerge Susanna gives him a herbal tonic. Smith dislikes having to bow to the bishop, but does so out of politeness. John explains the medical use of herbs to the bishop. After the bishop leaves, John tells Jack that he has had a complaint of possible sexual misconduct against him. Jack shrugs it off. John says he must leave for the night to attend an important patient, Lady Haines. Hester talks to Rafe, who she obviously adores. Rafe discusses his troubled marriage. Susanna buys ribbons for Elizabeth from Rafe, who offers them free of charge. It is clear that Rafe and Susanna are attracted to each other. Rafe says that since her husband will be away she should join him and his wife for dinner at his friend John Palmer's house. He leaves.