Less giddy than Shakespeare in Love, less raucous than Upstart Crow, Lauren Gunderson’s generous-hearted comedy enjoyably imagines the rocky publication of the First Folio, which rescued Shakespeare’s plays for posterity. Written in 2017, its European premiere aptly celebrates the Folio’s 400th anniversary.
We begin in the pub, as ageing lions of the stage sigh into their tankards. It’s three years since Shakespeare died, and his former colleagues John Heminges and Henry Condell fret that youngsters with poor texts and little talent already mangle his works. Shakespeare’s star player, Richard Burbage, knows everything by heart (“that’s the only way you get to tell everyone else what to do”) but when he dies, the friends realise that the words might fade with him. As Heminges warns: “Publish – or vanish.”
It’s a risky project: “Half the country can’t read,” grumbles Heminges, “the other half can’t pay.” They battle foul papers and fading memories to assemble the scattered texts. Despite cantankerous printers and with the aid of Tomi Ogbaro’s earnest scribe, who secretly copied his favourite texts, the mighty book comes together.
Gunderson loves a geek – there’s a running gag about Pericles – but this isn’t a bardolaters’ night out. She describes the Folio project as a metaphor “for loss and legacy”: grief is a constant companion in this world and transient theatre suggests how easily things can slip through your fingers. It’s also an affecting play about friendship’s ardent joys and responsibilities.
Lotte Wakeham’s snug production, staged in the round, initially skews shouty, but affection ripples through it. Carla Goodman’s autumnal costumes are warm russet and lichen. Bill Ward’s Condell, ruddy with enthusiasm, and Russell Richardson’s careworn Heminges lead a doughty cast – including the shrewd and salty women (nicely played by Jessica Ellis, Helen Pearson and Carrie Quinlan) to whom Gunderson gives voice.
Gunderson’s sweet, spry plays are huge in her native US – only Lynn Nottage had more productions last season. The Book of Will doesn’t go deep, but you may find tears pricking your eyes. Shakespeare’s words meant all the world to his friends – and now they share those words with all the world.
• At Queen’s theatre, Hornchurch, until 13 May. Then at Octagon, Bolton, 17 May-3 June and Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot, 19 October-11 November.
