- Playwright – Mark Norman & Tom Stoppard. Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall
- Location – Harrogate Theatre Main Stage
- Director – Dermot Hill
Cast
- Will Shakespeare – Naail Ishaq
- Viola de Lesseps – Debbie Phillips
- Christopher Marlowe – Gary Skipper
- Lord Wessex – Richard Blackburn
- Henslowe – Michael Garside
- Fennyman – Karl Boyd
- Burbage – Richard Naylor
- Ned Alleyn – Matthew Weilding
- Queen Elizabeth – Lesley Wheal
- Nurse – Jenny Humphreys
- Tilney – Stuart Newsome
- John Webster – Louis Boyd
- Wabash – Matt Melenas
- Sam – Kath McGolpin
- Ralph – Bob Mallow
- Nol – Joshua Gair
- Boatman – Janet Wilson
- Lambert – Mark Nicholls
- Frees – Tony Fennerty
- Peter – Ade Payne
- Lady de Lessops – Lucy Gradwell
- Kate – Carmen Perez
- Catling – Rebecca Evans
- Mistress Quickly – Sue Atkin
Penniless and indebted to two demanding producers, struggling young playwright William Shakespeare is tormented by writer’s block until he meets the beautiful Viola de Lesseps, daughter of a wealthy merchant, whose fiery passion for poetry and drama leaves her secretly longing to be an actor. Both are despondent when they learn that Viola’s father has promised her to the stuffy Lord Wessex in order to gain a title for their family.
Under the veil of secrecy, Will and Viola’s passionate love affair becomes the basis of the very play he is writing – Romeo and Juliet.
With opening night – and the wedding day – fast approaching, the plots race toward a parallel conclusion. Will it all work out in the end or are the two star-crossed lovers destined for tragedy?