Shakespeare in Love

Act 1, Scene 1 - Will’s Garret

William Shakespeare sits at his desk surrounded by the entire ensemble. He is trying to write a sonnet but is suffering from writer’s block. Christopher Marlowe, referred to by Shakespeare as Kit, steps out of the ensemble and asks Shakespeare why he isn’t writing a play. Will reveals that his play is a month overdue to Henslowe, the theatre financer, and that he cannot seem to write anything good. Marlowe, on the other hand, has just finished a play and is giving it to Richard Burbage, a famous actor and owner of The Curtain Theatre. He helps Shakespeare complete the line of his sonnet ‘shall i compare thee to a summer’s day’, gives him some last minute writing advice, and leaves him to his writer’s block.

Act 1, Scene 2 - Hanging of Henslowe

Henslowe is being hung up over hot coals by Lambert and Frees who work for Fennyman, the man who finances the the plays that Henslowe puts up at the Rose Theatre. Henslowe owes Fennyman Sixteen pounds, five