Talk about yer 'orrible ,istories, why do'nt ye. Or do'nt, cause this was not horrible in the least, quite the opposite in fact. turns out Orange is imndeed the New black, or at the very least, as good as.for anyone who knows a hawk from a handsaw, so to speak; verily. the Plays the thing.
Well, this little orange and balck coloured little book turned out to be a real treat. All the better for being an unexpected one. I came across it on a recent book trawl (one still can do so, even in this era of the pandemic.) when i found it among a small stack of horrible Histories. All of which had been donated to Oxfam, in one of their bookstores. I suppose the cover art allowed it to sit quite comfortably with them, which I suppose is no bad thing, as any of the horrible Histories I have seen on television have been quite smart and funny. Although, a bit one note for me, all grounded in a knowing irony, which gets a bit tedious. Everything is irony, nothing is valued beyond a tired "our ancestors were so daft,wink,wink," It makes forgiveness for past transgressions difficult to access, the weak and obvious punch lines more important than our ancestors attempts to improve their lot in life or the lives of their fellow beings. Yes, history was and is a brutal process, but enlightenment and evolution are things of beauty.
Actually, did not mean to get all soap boxey, the Horrible Histories crowd deserve better than that. some of their work has made me laugh out loud. and I have no wish to pit the quality of this lovely book against their lovely books. In it, a sixteen year old William Shakespeare, is working away in his father's glove making workshop but also finds himself putting together his first play, a Whitsun midsummer celebration for the people of his hometown; Stratford Upon Avon. With much hilarity, and a few bumps,bruises and black eyes, he sets about assembling a team of players from his fellow apprentices, local school boys and a motley of local labourers. All about to learn; The plays the thing.
Jan Mark brings these long gone and unheard voices back to life for the length of this perfectly formed little read. It is such a funny book, with wonderfully relayed interactions between the naive performers as they attempt to put together a piece that will entertain and charm. Young Shakespeare in putting pen to paper must string together a story that not only must engage the tough local crowd but also make sense to those performing it. The various first time fledgling actors have their own varied expectations of what the play should be about and how it should be performed. Nearly all wish for meaty manly parts while nearly all also have no wish to play women. There are many a slip as young Will tries to pull together the various threads holding the story together so that the magic of theater may begin to exert itself. As I said, it is a funny book all right, so warmly realised. I actually found a smile on my lips as I read through it. Found myself wishing for all to be well while also enjoying the many mishaps sent to bedevil all involved.
I for one was clapping by the end.
Author, Author.
