To tweet, or not to tweet, that is the question.
A number of celebrities are being challenged to participate in a new, Ice Bucket Challenge-inspired social-media meme that is raising money for the Red Cross UK’s efforts to provide assistance for the European migration crisis.
#15SecondShakespeare features celebrities offering dramatic readings of pop-music lyrics and challenging their peers to do the same.
The effort was started in January by the British actor David Fynn, who posted a clip of his dramatic reading of Carly Rae Jepson’s bubblegum hit “Call Me Maybe,” notes the site Know Your Meme.
Several actors and celebrities have posted similar clips in response, but it wasn’t until this month that the hashtag started to gain traction. Last week, Fynn challenged users to donate to the Red Cross before recording and posting their videos.
While it’s not yet clear how much money has been raised, it is clear that those who have been challenged are taking their assignments seriously.
A scan of postings with the #15SecondShakespeare hashtag yields hilarious renditions of hits such as Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl” and Sir-Mix-A-Lot’s classic “Baby Got Back”.
Here are a couple of our recent favorites:
My #15SecondShakespeare thanks @r_jacz and I nominate @imrosemciver and @jenmorrisonlive https://t.co/NjwzCf1FBN
— Karen Gillan (@karengillan) September 23, 2015
Alright, @MaryEMcGlynn. Now I challenge @Marisha_Ray, @executivegoth, & @JakeStormoen! #15SecondShakespeare pic.twitter.com/cpG6KSbCcy — Matthew Mercer (@matthewmercer) September 23, 2015