

Love is the only inspiration.
Young William Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, 'Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter', before it's even written. When lovely noblewoman Viola de Lesseps auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love — and Shakespeare's play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship intensifies, the comedy soon transforms into tragedy.

Will Shakespeare

Viola De Lesseps

Philip Henslowe

Hugh Fennyman

Queen Elizabeth

Nurse

Lord Wessex

Ned Alleyn

Tilney
Makepeace

Ralph Bashford

Christopher Marlowe