Review: THE BOOK OF WILL, Octagon Theatre Bolton

Photo credit: Pamela Raith

Collaboratively produced by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Octagon Theatre and the Shakespeare North Playhouse, Lauren Gunderson’s play The Book of Will receives its European premiere.

Based on a true story, following the death of The King’s Men’s leading player (the theatre troupe who originally performed the works of Shakespeare), fellow troupe members Henry Condell and John Heminges decide to protect the legacy of Shakespeare by compiling the playwright’s works to create the first folio, ensuring the memory of Shakespeare’s plays don’t die with them.

Gunderson’s script, combined with Lotte Wakeham’s direction, makes the production feel reminiscent of the traditional Shakespearean style whilst maintaining a slightly more contemporary tone for the production. Throughout the story, Gunderson has scattered wonderfully comedic lines and references to Shakespeare’s works, which are brought to life by the cast onstage.

Whilst the majority of the show is performed in a more traditional acting style, there are moments when a more abstract physical theatre style is used.  Movement Director Jonnie Riordan has created these segments of physical theatre to cleverly represent the passing of time whilst the characters take on the tedious task of scouring through various papers to edit for the folio and the printing process itself.  These moments of movement allow the energy flow of the performance to continue and keep the audience very much engaged.

Designer Carla Goodman has kept the set quite minimal and simple for this production in-the-round so as not to distract from the performers, with the stage floor design making the performance space feel a little like Shakespeare’s Globe.  The costume design is stunning with period appropriate garments worn throughout the piece, with the only exception being the final scene of the play, which feature snippets of various Shakespeare plays set in different time periods approaching the modern day with costumes to match.

The entire cast work brilliantly together and bring tremendous energy and comedy to the production.  Most of the cast multi role with the exception of Bill Ward as Henry Condell and Russell Richardson as John Heminges.  Both Ward and Richardson give outstanding performances in their roles and excellently portray the members of The King’s Men, showing range with the comedic elements and more serious parts of the show.

A true celebration of theatre and the beloved playwright, The Book of Will is a hilarious and joyous play that gives an insight into how the works of William Shakespeare were saved from being lost in history by his friends.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Jess Dalloway

The Book of Will plays at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton until 3 June, with further information here.