When we think about live theater, we often think about big actors, elaborate sets, and glittery costumes. The world of the Tudor theater, especially during the reign of Elizabeth I, was similar in some ways, but there was an element of danger. Richard Shakespeare, an actor in the Lord Chamberlain’s Men company and a former thief, knew the dangers of Tudor theater life better than anyone. When a manuscript is stolen, suspicion lands squarely on Richard’s shoulders. Can Richard clear his name, or will it be his final curtain call? Bernard Cornwell tells the story of Richard Shakespeare and the debut of A Midsummer’s Night Dream in his novel, “Fools and Mortals.”

This is one of those books that I found while going used book shopping. I did not know that Cornwell wrote a novel about Elizabethan England, so I knew I wanted to read it. I wanted to see how well Cornwell could write an Elizabethan novel.

Our main character is Richard Shakespeare (based on the historical figure), the estranged younger brother of William Shakespeare. He is an actor himself, primarily with small roles and women roles, but as he gets older, he wants more prominent male roles. Richard is not exactly thrilled about his brother William’s rising star as William is kind of a jerk in this novel. The Lord Chamberlain’s Men are given a grand opportunity to perform at the wedding of Lord Hundson’s daughter. William has decided to premiere a brand new play called A Midsummer’s Night Dream, which means this novel is full of actors trying to figure out this new production in time.

To top it off, one of William’s newer plays was taken by a disgruntled player to curry favor with another playhouse. William thinks that Richard stole his manuscript, so Richard must do everything in his power to get the play back and restore some semblance of a relationship with his brother. Along the way, he encounters a maid named Silvia, who he falls in love with, and hardcore Protestants who believe that players are sinners in the eyes of the Lord. To top it all off, it seems like William has a book in his possession that is considered dangerous and makes the thugs think he is Catholic. Richard has to focus on getting the manuscript back and rehearsing the new play and try not to get killed.

Richard Shakespeare is one of those characters that is a little rough around the edges, but once you get to know him, he is a loveable person. Cornwell created such a colorful world of the Elizabethan theater that any Tudor or Shakespearean nerd will love. If you want a delightfully unique take on Elizabethan England and the life of the players in the early stages of the English theater, I would suggest you read “Fools and Mortals” by Bernard Cornwell.