Page 42 of Love, Will

We hadn’t seen each other for many months and I could not help but recognise how fatherhood changed him. His brow more furrowed, eyes sharper and chin straight, perfectly parallel to the ground in that regal stance he had mastered so well.

“We are playingMerchant of Venicetomorrow, Henry... Earl,” I corrected myself, the muscles in my stomach trembling at the sight of him after so long a time.

“That is to change, immediately. I need you to doRichard II,” he demanded aggressively. I didn’t know what happened to him. I barely recognised the man I loved inside that brick of stone, coldness and determination spreading from his stance.

“But we have not played that for years. It would take us a while to practice all the lines. You must understand that….” Richard intervened.

Henry looked over annoyed in his direction, as if to shut him up, then back at me.

“Will, do what you must, but do it.” He did not seem to care or understand.

“Henry.” I walked to him and touched his shoulder slowly. “Can we talk about this, maybe if I could understand why…”

“There is nothing to explain!” He raised his voice and twisted his shoulder to get rid of my hand. “You are to playRichard IItomorrow. There are forty shillings in the purse, you are paid so I expect deliverance,” he pressed again.

“Henry, you can’t expect…” I wanted to protest, but once again he cut me off.

“Will, you do this for me, or I swear I will have this theatre shut. I will tell everyone about… you know,” he raised his eyebrows in threat, a dark shadow gazing over his once peaceful eyes. “I wonder how the Privy Council will see a theatre run by a ...how do they call it? Abomination?” he whispered to me, hatred in his eyes.

“It will be done,” Richard replied. He had heard the exchange as he stood right next to me. “Richard II, first draft it is for tomorrow, Earl,” my friend replied.

“Excellent!” Henry smiled and left the theatre without a single glance in our direction.

I swallowed hard, trembling at what had just happened, at the way my lover had just threatened my life. Without a single glance to spare.

“Dearest Henry,

I am joyous to see you are back from Ireland and hope your travels were fruitful and the return to your family merry. Your unexpected visit today at the theatre left me troubled, knowing you I can see there is a plan for tomorrow, something that neither myself nor the men should know, however, may I take the liberty to advise against it should it bring your Earlship troubles?

Henry, I have never seen you so disturbed and threatening, I can sense something is wrong. If you allow me the time for a visit, I would very much like to converse with you and offer my unconditional help and support.

Please do not shut yourself away. I am always at your loyal service.

Love,

Will”

“Master Shakespeare,

Please do your duty as discussed. Tomorrow’s events are bigger than you and I. We shall discuss once all is well again.

With hope for a better future,

Henry”

We had no control over what happened next. We added the deposition scene as requested and acted it for the people, who stopped the play and started chanting hymns against the court. There were some men at the theatre gates who started ripping them open, continuing to chant violent offences.

The entire scene turned into a revolution, while we stood aghast on the stage. I wanted to follow them and see what was happening, worried about Henry, not knowing if this turned out to be the desired effect of his demand, but Richard grabbed me by the chest and forced me to stay inside. All the men went into the dress rooms or Richard’s private room and waited for the mob to quiet down.

We heard shouting on the street, cries for help, and an army of horses riding up and down the streets near the theatre. From time to time, the words ‘treason’ or demands to end someone’s life echoed on the slowly emptying streets. I could barely breathe, worried that Henry was involved in all this, not knowing if he remained safe or what his plan was.

After a while, the noise stopped and we were driven out by the cold and darkness falling over the city. We returned to the stage to find it exactly as we left it, some prompts fallen or ripped but no blood or bodies, so we instantly breathed easy.

While we were gathering the remains of our play and changing into our daily clothes, a few men rode through the gates. By the stance and uniform, they seemed to be from court. Suddenly Robert Cecil stood in front of us, Lord Privy and Secretary of State, the first man of the Queen, making his way towards us and stepping decidedly on our stage.

“Good evening, gentlemen,” he announced himself.

All of us froze, not knowing how to react and what to do in the presence of the unannounced visit of such an important man. Clearly we had done something wrong, unfortunately we were already aware of this.

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