HENRY CONDELL-40, feisty, hopeful friend and actor in the King’s Men

JOHN HEMINGES-50; reasonable friend and financial manager

of the King’s Men; owner of the Globe Tap House; a good man,

a gentleman, if serious.

RICHARD BURBAGE-50s; seasoned lion of the stage, famous

across England, loud and proud.

(Henry, John, and Richard wear identical

mourning rings for Will.)

ALICE HEMINGES-35, John’s daughter and alewife, knows every-

one and hangs with the boys.

BOY HAMLET–Young actor.

BARMAN-Ruffian.

BARMAN2–Drunk.

BEN JONSON-Poet laureate of England, friend/rival of Shake-

speare. Amazing drunk. A bear of a man. Surprisingly weepy.

ELIZABETH CONDELL-Henry’s wife, savvy and fun.

REBECCA HEMINGES-John’s wife, a good wife. Strong, busy

with their grocery business, a woman who has weathered

much but loves her husband and sons and God.

ED KNIGHT-“Stage manager” for the Kings Men, self-serious

and particular.

RALPH CRANE- Humble scrivener of the King’s Men. Quick,

sure, quiet.

WILLIAM JAGGARD-Successful if shady publisher of books,

plays, and playbills. He is confident in his ability to get what he

wants. Very experienced, very connected, willing to do whatever

it takes to get the job done. An ass.

ISAACJAGGARD-_William’s son, will inherit the business. Sensitive,

an artist at heart.

MARCUS-20, printer’s apprentice at the Jaggard print shop, nosy

but honest.

COMPOSITOR-Works for Jaggard, young.

EMILIA BASSANO LANIER-50, fiery Italian feminist and poet,

independent woman, lover of life (and of Shakespeare).

ANNE HATHAWAY SHAKESPEARE-60, Shakespeare’ now ailing

wife. Strong-willed, a classy lady, a survivor.

SUSANNAH SHAKESPEARE-30, good girl and daughter to

Shakespeare.

CRIER–Newsboy.

BERNARDO, FRANCISCO–Actors playing those roles.

SIR EDWARD DERING-_-60. book and theatre lover.

4/46

HORATIO

FRUIT SELLER

MARCELLUS