Even though his works have inspired a myriad of adaptations, the life of William Shakespeare remains a fascinating enigma that has aroused the imaginations of artists all over the world. Using the Bard's early sonnets to give us insight into who he might've been as a twenty-seven year old struggling writer, the multi-talented Jan-Erik Sääf wrote the book, music and lyrics for "William", a brilliant one-man show produced by Stockholms MusikTeatre.
Making its debut at this year's New York International Fringe Festival, "William" (featuring an English translation by Owen Robertson) stars Jonas Nerbe as Shakespeare. The celebrated Swedish actor relies on his larger than life charisma and exquisite voice to bring the author to life, infusing him with a raw energy that adds urgency to his performance. We probably never thought of Shakespeare as someone who sang, but watching Nerbe sing about the vibrant London theater scene convinces us that it might be the best way to allow this character to express his world view.
When the show begins, William is a down on his luck writer living under the shadow of Christopher Marlowe. When he's commissioned to write sonnets about love by a mysterious patron he must come to terms with either being a writer for hire or a true artist; a timeless dilemma that still plagues the conflicted minds of those who take on any creative endeavor. Torn between duty and pride his life becomes even more complicated when he falls in love with the Earl of Southampton, whom historians have suggested was the "Fair Youth" of his sonnets.
Accompanied by a string quartet (Stefani Collins, Sarah Koenig-Plonskier, Catie Longhi, Bridget Pasker) that performs like his own personal Greek choir, Nerbe tackles William and also does humorous impressions of the characters he talks about. He takes hold of the stage, transforming from a jolly pirate to a fool in love. That the actor is able to give us a sense of who this man was without turning the show into a self-indulgent historical conspiracy is testament to his immense talent and also to the thoughtfulness behind every single one of Sääf's lines which use his sonnets as base but then riff on them with gusto. Shakespeare here is less of a tortured soul and more of a party host devoted to treating his guests to the best time he can and that's precisely what the actor does as he interacts with the audience in unexpected moments; similarly, just like the best parties, "William" ends at about the point when you're enjoying yourself so much that you wish there was more to come.
See our interview with Nerbe and Sääf: https://stagebuddy.com/theater/bringing-the-bard-around-the-world/
