Review: The Book of Will, Octagon Theatre Bolton

The Octagon’s latest production - The Book of Will - moves along at a cracking pace and will have you both entertained and enthralled.

Marking 400 years since the First Folio of William Shakespeare, the weighty volume which collected his entire catalogue of work in print for the first time, The Book of Will tells the unlikely story of how it happened.

A quick history lesson. In Shakespeare’s day, the plays which we treasure today were never written down; actors were only ever given their own lines, occasionally copies were made of what was being said on stage by audience members secretly scribbling down what they heard.

The Book of Will begins in the pub as the last three members of Shakespeare’s own theatre company the King’s Men bemoan the fact that their late, great friend’s work is being mangled by a new generation of actors.

Richard Burbage is the greatest actor of his day and a man who knows Shakespeare off by heart. Following his death the two surviving King’s Men, Henry Condell and John Heminges realise that if they don’t do something, Shakespeare’s original words will be lost forever.

And so the race is on.

For anyone who sees the name Shakespeare and is immediately put off; don’t be. You don’t need to know anything about the Bard to thoroughly enjoy this production. The language is modern, the jokes are plentiful and the cast work wonderfully well together. This is a true ensemble piece with real heart performing a narrative which will have you hooked.

Read more: Bill Ward 'it's the perfect play to be doing at the Octagon'

And if you do like Shakespeare, there are a few little nuggets which you’ll really appreciate.

Bill Ward plays the idealist Condell, determined to get his friend’s work published at all costs. Russell Richardson is Heminges, a more pragmatic character who worries about the spiralling costs.

Directed by the Octagon’s artistic director Lotte Wakeham, The Book of Will is a celebration of friendship and those united by a common purpose.

Compiling the first folio was a real family affair with Heminges wife, played by Helen Pearson; daughter, Jessica Ellis, and Condell’s wife, Carrie Quinlan, all playing key roles in keeping the project on track.

Staged ‘in the round’ the Octagon was the perfect setting, giving the audience the opportunity to fully-appreciate the intricate movements of the cast.

Special mention to Andrew Whitehead as the seemingly permanently drunk poet Ben Johnson and Zach Lee’s miserly printer William Jaggard.

But this was a real team effort and all are worthy of praise.

The Book of Will is a work with real warmth which tells a fascinating story in the most engaging and enjoyable way. Methinks the Bard would be pleased.

The Book of Will is at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, until Saturday, June 3. Details from www.octagonbolton.co.uk