Can you imagine acting with Will Shakespeare?
Sounds improbable, right? Yet that’s the premise of today’s book recommendation, King of Shadows by Susan Cooper.
I last recommended the Dark is Rising series, also by Susan Cooper. Finding an author whose work has been around, and who has written prolifically, is sucha treat. I can go to my library and put as many books of hers that the library has on hold!
King of Shadows is this week’s find.
Here’s the summary:
“While in London as part of an all-boy acting company preparing to perform in a replica of the famous Globe Theater, Nat Field suddenly finds himself transported back to 1599 and performing in the original theater under the tutelage of Shakespeare himself.”
Nat plays Puck in Midsummer Night’s Dream, both in his own time and in 1599, where Will Shakespeare is his Oberon. Puck is a character I never played but would have loved to—it would have been right down my alley, alongside my best roles as Peter Pan and the Artful Dodger.
Compelling themes and characters:
You know of my attachment to King Oberon and Queen Titania—they play major roles in the Piper Pan and Her Merry Band books. (Their essential characters are somewhat altered, I admit.)
There’s an important theme in King of Shadowsabout healing family loss and trauma—it’s very touching. Healing inner wounds and growing confidence are themes I write as well as read about.
Life in the theater:
What captured me from the first paragraph of King of Shadowswas the way the author brings “life in the theater” to life—especially the emotional intensity and the connection to fellow actors and crew. She captures the 100% commitment, the theater “family,” and the thrill of reaching your audience.
I felt transported to my young (and not-so-young) theater days. More than that, I felt delighted that someone else’s description of an acting company could so closely mimic my own experience. If only, I too, could find myself acting with Will Shakespeare…
Another testament to the value of reading: getting to have the experience of acting with Will Shakespeare vicariously!
Hop on down to your library and check out King of Shadows, even if it’s through interlibrary loan!
Happy Reading!