Beyond the Stage is a series delving into Shakespeare productions at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Festival Dramaturg Kee-Yoon Nahm sat down with director Lori Adams to discuss the upcoming production of Lauren Gunderson’s The Book of Will.
Adams shared her history with the festival, dating back to 1998 when she first joined as an assistant text coach. Over the years, she has taken on various roles, including acting and directing Theatre for Young Audiences productions.
This season marks Adams’ directorial debut for one of the main productions. She expressed her immediate connection to The Book of Will, praising its portrayal of the efforts to publish Shakespeare’s works posthumously.
The play, set in 1619, follows the King’s Men as they strive to preserve Shakespeare’s legacy by compiling his plays into the First Folio. Gunderson weaves in the stories of women like Elizabeth Condell and Rebecca Heminges, underscoring their crucial roles in this historical endeavor.
Adams and Nahm discussed the play’s exploration of grief, friendship, and the passage of time, all while shedding light on the theatrical world of seventeenth-century London.
They highlighted the diverse array of characters, from Emilia Bassano Lanier to Ben Jonson, each adding depth to Shakespeare’s circle of acquaintances and the challenges they faced.
Adams emphasized the play’s thematic focus on family, resonating with her personal experiences of involving her own family in the theatre. The narrative also delves into the universal themes of aging, memory, and the enduring power of storytelling.
The discussion expanded to the collaborative nature of theatre, drawing parallels between the dynamics within the King’s Men and the modern-day cast. Adams reflected on the importance of fostering a sense of community among actors, akin to the camaraderie seen in Shakespeare’s troupe.
As they delved deeper into the play’s nuances, Adams and Nahm unraveled how The Book of Will humanizes Shakespeare and his contemporaries, portraying them not as mythical figures but as individuals navigating life’s complexities.
In closing, Adams expressed her hope that audiences would grasp the essence of theatre as a medium for connection, storytelling, and a reflection of life’s intricacies. The play, she believed, encapsulates the heart of theatrical experience, inviting viewers to contemplate the enduring legacy of art and the bonds that tie us together.
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