BEOWULF

adapted by Charlie Bethel
performed by John Heimbuch
directed by Amy Rummenie
dramaturgy by Sarah Heller

Listen up. Long ago, when we still asked,
Then we heard tell of heroes, ancient kings,
Of their courageous acts and of the fame
They carved for each himself with swinging sword…

John Heimbuch performs Charlie Bethel’s tour-de-force adaptation of Beowulf, the classic Old English poem about a warrior king and three famous monsters.

This fierce one-person telling modernizes the wit, vigor, and meaty language of the original Anglo-Saxon epic, making the oldest tale in the English language into a relatable high fantasy adventure.

60 minutes, no intermission.

Warning: Beowulf contains descriptions of fantasy violence akin to The Lord of the Rings. It is intended for adults, but may be appropriate for mythology-loving youths.

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

BEOWULF (with FEAST)
5:00pm Saturdays, March 14, 21 & 28, 2026
At the banquet hall of the Black Forest Inn (1 E 26th Street, Minneapolis)
In conjunction with Walking Shadow Theatre Company’s of FEAST by Megan Gogerty
Reserve tickets on Eventbrite

PRAISE FOR BEOWULF

GOLDEN LANYARD AWARD, 2019 Minnesota Fringe Festival
GOLD MEDAL, The TVolution, 2022 Hollywood Fringe

“Just one man, no set, no costume but a hell of a wonderful performance.”
- Ernest Kearney, theTVolution.com, 2022

“Heimbuch tells this story in a crisp and compelling way, using his strong voice and confident stage presence to keep the audience enthralled.  He also spices his delivery with witty asides and sly looks that not only change the narrative pace but give the show a welcome intimacy. You’re no longer watching an actor perform but being entertained by a friend.”
- Willard Manus, Total Theater, Los Angeles, 2022

“Heimbuch holds the audience captivated for what feels like it could not have been 60 minutes but was … Filled with action, horror, and a very modern dash of humor, it’s the only way to experience Beowulf if you want it to come alive for you ... It’s a thrilling tale and Heimbuch has a gift for oral storytelling that conveys that excitement to the audience.”
- The Stages of MN, 2024

“Heimbuch was the poet narrator, pulling us into a strange, ancient world of beasts and blood and bravery… He postured, he roared, he fought epic battles. He made us shiver and laugh. It was an hour of powerful theater. Some parts sounded as if they could have been written today, which is true of all great stories.”
- Pamela Espeland, MinnPost, 2020

PERFORMANCE HISTORY

Walking Shadow Theatre Company, MN (2026, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020)
New York Public Library, NYC (2025)
Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA (2025)
Saint Anselm College, Manchester, NH (2025)
Glen Foerd / Philly Fringe, Philadelphia, PA (2025)
Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Coon Rapids, MN (2025)
The Young Auditorium, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater (2025)
Jamberry House, Medford, MA (2025)
Pillars of Prospect Park, Minneapolis, MN (2025)
Brewery Nønic, Wisconsin (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021)
The Count’s Den, Los Angeles, CA (2025)
Walker Place Community, Minneapolis, MN (2025)
Glitterbox Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA (2024)
Hamilton College, Clinton, NY (2024)
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY (2024)
Chenango River Theatre (2024, 2023)
Philly Fringe / Quig’s Pub at Plays & Players (2024)
Smoke House Stage, St Paul (2024) with Jake Endres on piano
Washington Square Park, NYC (2024)
FoxHouse Productions, Viroqua, WI (2023)
Minnesota State University, Mankato (2023)
MN Poets at Squirrel Haus Arts, Minneapolis, MN (2023)
The Rosette, Austin, TX (2023)
Fantastic Fest, Austin, TX (2023)
Texas State, San Marcos (2023)
University of Texas, Austin (2023, 2022)
Chenango River Theatre, Greene, NY (2023, 2022)
Iowa City Festival of Books / James Theater, Iowa City, IA (2022)
Providence Fringe Festival, RI (2022)
Rabbit Hole Artspace, Boston, MA (2022)
Hollywood Fringe Festival (2022) - Gold Medal Award, theTVolution
Woodlake Nature Center / Walking Shadow, Richfield, MN (2022, 2021)
CONvergence, Minneapolis, MN (2022, 2019)
Upper Midwest Backyard Tour (2020)
Washington County Library, MN (2020)
Anoka County Library, MN (2020)
Minnesota Fringe Festival (2019) - Golden Lanyard Staff Pick Award

Plus numerous school, bar, backyard, house, and park performances around the United States.

BOOK A PRIVATE SHOW

These one-person shows have a flexible storytelling style that can easily be adapted to a wide variety of conditions, making them an ideal fit for backyard parties, fireside tellings, and intimate gatherings.

Rates vary depending on performance conditions and audience size.

For availability and booking information, please fill out this form and I’ll get back to you soon!