The Book of Will
by Lauren Gunderson

Name: The Book of Will
Brand: Lauren Gunderson
SKU: 9780822237723
Rating: 4.28 (13 reviews)

The Book of Will Book Cover — The Book of Will Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

120 mins 16th Century/Elizabethan Expandable Casting Unit Set/Multiple Settings Period Costumes Comedy

Synopsis

Without William Shakespeare, we wouldn’t have literary masterpieces like Romeo and Juliet .

But without Henry Condell and John Heminges, we would have lost half of Shakespeare’s plays forever!

After the death of their friend and mentor, the two actors are determined to compile the First Folio and preserve the words that shaped their lives.

They might just have to borrow, beg and band together to etch the Bard’s name in history.

Amidst the noise and color of Elizabethan London, The Book of Will finds an unforgettable true story of love, loss and laughter and sheds new light on a man you may think you know.

Press Reviews

"Gunderson has peopled the stage with lively, historically based characters. She paints a vivid portrait of the times in language sometimes formal, sometimes poetic, and often contemporary. She also gives a real feel for theater life and what it means to be an actor... you sense this is a work of both scholarship and love. The Book of Will serves as homage to those who sacrificed to make the First Folio happen and to Shakespeare’s magnificent words."
— Westword

"The Book of Will… unequivocally announces Gunderson as a playwright with whom to be reckoned. It is, quite frankly, one of the best plays I have ever seen. It will bring tears of both laughter and sorrow to all but the most jaded audience member’s eyes. It is, in a word, a triumph."
— Boulder Weekly

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
John Heminges 50. Reasonable friend and financial manager of the King’s Men. Owner of the Globe Tap House; a good man, a gentleman, if serious. (Henry, John and Richard wear identical mourning rings for Will)	male	50	50. Reasonable friend and financial manager of the King’s Men. Owner of the Globe Tap House; a good man, a gentleman, if serious. (Henry, John and Richard wear identical mourning rings for Will)
Richard Burbage 50s. Seasoned lion of the stage, famous across England, loud and proud. (Henry, John and Richard wear identical mourning rings for Will)	—	50s	50s. Seasoned lion of the stage, famous across England, loud and proud. (Henry, John and Richard wear identical mourning rings for Will)
Alice Heminges 35, John’s daughter and alewife, knows everyone and hangs with the boys.	female	—	35, John’s daughter and alewife, knows everyone and hangs with the boys.
Boy Hamlet Young actor.	—	—	Young actor.
Barman Ruffian.	—	—	Ruffian.
Barman 2 Drunk.	—	—	Drunk.
Ben Jonson Poet laureate of England, friend/rival of Shakespeare. Amazing drunk. A bear of a man. Surprisingly weepy.	—	—	Poet laureate of England, friend/rival of Shakespeare. Amazing drunk. A bear of a man. Surprisingly weepy.
Elizabeth Condell Henry’s wife, savvy and fun.	female	—	Henry’s wife, savvy and fun.
Rebecca Heminges John’s wife, a good wife. Strong, busy with their grocery business, a woman who has weathered much but loves her husband and sons and God.	female	—	John’s wife, a good wife. Strong, busy with their grocery business, a woman who has weathered much but loves her husband and sons and God.
Ed Knight “Stage manager” for the King’s Men, self-serious and particular.	male	—	“Stage manager” for the King’s Men, self-serious and particular.
Ralph Crane Humble scrivener of the King’s Men. Quick, sure, quiet.	male	—	Humble scrivener of the King’s Men. Quick, sure, quiet.
William Jaggard Successful if shady publisher of books, plays and playbills. He is confident in his ability to get what he wants. Very experienced, very connected, willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. An ass.	male	—	Successful if shady publisher of books, plays and playbills. He is confident in his ability to get what he wants. Very experienced, very connected, willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. An ass.
Isaac Jaggard William’s son, will inherit the business. Sensitive, an artist at heart.	—	—	William’s son, will inherit the business. Sensitive, an artist at heart.
Marcus 20, printer’s apprentice at the Jaggard print shop, nosy but honest.	—	—	20, printer’s apprentice at the Jaggard print shop, nosy but honest.
Compositor Works for Jaggard, young.	—	—	Works for Jaggard, young.
Emilia Bassano Lanier 50, fiery Italian feminist and poet, independent woman, lover of life (and of Shakespeare).	female	—	50, fiery Italian feminist and poet, independent woman, lover of life (and of Shakespeare).
Anne Hathaway Shakespeare 60, Shakespeare’s now ailing wife. Strong-willed, a classy lady, a survivor.	female	—	60, Shakespeare’s now ailing wife. Strong-willed, a classy lady, a survivor.
Susannah Shakespeare 30, good girl and daughter of Shakespeare.	female	—	30, good girl and daughter of Shakespeare.
Crier Newsboy.	—	—	Newsboy.
Bernardo, Francisco Actors playing those roles.	—	—	Actors playing those roles.
Sir Edward Dering 60, book and theatre lover.	—	—	60, book and theatre lover.
Horatio	—	—	—
Fruit Seller	—	—	—
Marcellus	—	—	—
Henry Condell 40. Feisty, hopeful friend and actor in the King’s Men. (Henry, John and Richard wear identical mourning rings for Will)	male	40	40. Feisty, hopeful friend and actor in the King’s Men. (Henry, John and Richard wear identical mourning rings for Will)