Theatrecy

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Theatrecy

Historical fiction · Dark comedy · Paperback & eBook · ISBN 9781806343645

It is the 1640s and the turbulent times of the English Civil War can be felt across England. Gideon is a frustrated woodturner and would-be actor who believes nothing is more important than the theatre. Unfortunately, Puritans have recently closed all the theatres in London — and the chief instigators of these actions are his father, Eli, and his brother, Matthew.

Gideon's ultimate goal is to restore the Globe Theatre to its former glory. Having left his previous work, he now acts on "the stage of life", assuming various characters as he travels between Parliamentarian London and Royalist Oxford to perform before the King, who has set up his headquarters there. Each adventure will be a different act in the play Gideon intends to write and perform once the Globe is restored.

On the road to Oxford, Gideon is waylaid by Parliament's most feared soldier, Colonel Mordet, who promises him that if he assassinates a main funder of the King, Mordet will have the Globe restored. Things become more complicated still when he meets Molly, a political radical with whom he falls in love — but who will use him for her own ends.

"A cocktail of romance, unrequited love, murder and espionage, all heavily laced with dark humour, and a vivid and original portrayal of an extraordinary time."