LONDON -- A while back we were treated to Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart reciting Taylor Swift lyrics, and now a new trend has been started that's in a similar vein: actors performing pop songs in the style of Shakespeare.
#15secondshakespeare involves people reading a 15 second snippet of anything from Britney Spears to the theme tune for The Fresh Prince of Bel Air in the most dramatic way possible. It's currently spreading through social media in a similar way to the Ice Bucket Challenge, with people recording themselves and then nominating two other people to have a go.
The trend appears to have been started by actor David Fynn (of Undateable and The Inbetweeners fame), who shared the following video on his Instagram earlier in September.
#15secondshakespeare Here's some ancient text for you. Using the correct pronunciation from the Elizabethan era. This is from one of Shakespeare's lesser seen plays. #acting #craft #bard #hollywood #paleo #squats #organic #dreamz A video posted by David Fynn (@davidfynnn) on Sep 11, 2015 at 4:40pm PDT
Since then the trend has spread quickly, with everyone from Minnie Driver to Phill Lewis (aka Hooch from Scrubs) getting involved.
Thanks for the nom @amyhubcast Calling @Jason__Watkins @EnzoCilenti and @EdStoppard #15secondshakespeare pic.twitter.com/xVJ5Vvipuf— Mark Bonnar (@mark_bonnar) September 20, 2015
.#15secondshakespeare - Here's my contribution. @amyhubcast I nominate @jimmisimpson & @evanrachelwood @WestworldHBO pic.twitter.com/OiVlY7ORV3— Ben Barnes (@benbarnes) September 23, 2015
Thanks 4 the nom @xKieranHillx @amyhubcast -i now nominate @TheMikeFiggis @Jennigan #15secondshakespeare pic.twitter.com/nrTJx8zI73— Melia Kreiling (@Melia_Kreiling) September 21, 2015
In your face @emily_laing_uk I nominate @RazaJaffrey and @TheJimMurray #15secondshakespeare pic.twitter.com/YdJncGZ1o3— Sarah Parish (@DrSarahParish) September 23, 2015
Alright, @MaryEMcGlynn. Now I challenge @Marisha_Ray, @executivegoth, & @JakeStormoen! #15SecondShakespeare pic.twitter.com/cpG6KSbCcy— Matthew Mercer (@matthewmercer) September 23, 2015
#15secondshakespeare Thanks @mikejibson @PaulStanleyLive I nominate @jlandonhays @JeremyStolle and @mikejibson #kiss pic.twitter.com/P9nObFchMm— LAIRD MACKINTOSH (@LairdMackintosh) September 24, 2015
Hey. @davidfynn here is my #15secondShakespeare I nominate @neilhimself @JoeSims10 pic.twitter.com/dLl5tOARd0— Arthur Darvill (@RattyBurvil) September 23, 2015
My #15SecondShakespeare thanks @r_jacz and I nominate @imrosemciver and @jenmorrisonlivehttps://t.co/NjwzCf1FBN— Karen Gillan (@karengillan) September 23, 2015
@FisayoAkinade @rebeccacallard nominate: @RalfLittle Martin Freeman and @daisy_haggard #15secondshakespeare pic.twitter.com/oOCubQG6J4— amanda abbington (@CHIMPSINSOCKS) September 20, 2015
Thank you @amyhubcast so #15secondshakespeare #GinaG pic.twitter.com/jzU5NevAUO— Aneurin Barnard (@aneurinBarnard) September 19, 2015
@davidfynn #kanye made me go full Staurt. #15secondshakespeare I also nominate @SirPatStew pic.twitter.com/j23c4vfDIs— Minnie Driver (@driverminnie) September 19, 2015
@davidfynn #15secondshakespeare @dylansprouse @colesprouse pic.twitter.com/1aZsIqdXIt— Phill Lewis (@ThePhillLewis) September 14, 2015
On Wednesday, David Fynn also announced that the hashtag -- which shows no sign of slowing down -- will now be raising money for the Red Cross.
#15secondshakespeare will now be supporting the efforts of the charity RED CROSS in the Refugee Crisis. When recording please donate 1st...— David Fynn (@davidfynn) September 23, 2015
Personally, we think it's deeply important that Sir Patrick Stewart does a rendition of the Vengaboys' "Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom" as soon as possible.
Let's make it happen.