How far would you go to save what you truly love?
England, 1715.
When society doesn’t understand you, and your family is out of the picture, a strolling theatre company could be your perfect home…
Ambitious lead actor Thomas is determined to reach Drury Lane and prove to his father that he is not a failure.
Fierce Caroline has a traumatic past and is determined to protect the company which saved her.
Kind-hearted Annie just wants to look after her found family.
So, when their heartbroken manager Robert is injured and decides to fold the struggling company, the players are resolved to change his mind, whatever the cost. Unfortunately for them, the odds are
stacked against them. They’ve lost their stage, they still haven’t got a skull for Hamlet, and flamboyant ex-member Piero is hunting them down, with a spot of revenge on his mind…
Is it time for the final bow?
The Players Act 1: All The World’s A Stage gives voice to the forgotten strolling players of the 18th century in this fun, uplifting, and page-turning read.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Energetic, accessible historical fiction
Working-class characters
Found family
Comedy and tragedy
Shakespeare
LGBTQ+
Neurodiversity
Mental health issues
Multiple POV
Heart and hope
Amy was born in Eastbourne, England, where the sea and South Downs encouraged her love of the outdoors and nurtured her wildness. Her childhood was filled with folk music, caravans and imagination, and she was always dreaming up stories and characters – usually when she was meant to be doing something else.
She enjoys stories that explore both comedy and tragedy. She is a New York Times bestselling author and her work includes THE HOUSE AT THE EDGE OF MAGIC series, and the picture books for
BBC’s THE REPAIR SHOP. THE PLAYERS is her debut novel for adults.
Amy now lives in Devon with her husband and six children. When she isn’t writing, Amy enjoys drinking tea, climbing trees and playing the piano, although disappointingly she is yet to master
doing all three at once.
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My thoughts: I love theatrical history so this was right up my theatre nerd/history nerd street. Travelling companies like the rather unfortunate Ticehurst Players that comprises Robert, Caroline, Annie and new boy Tom.
They need a new patron, and for things to go their way for a change. After being threatened with the Vagrancy Act, Tom suddenly remembers his father is a landlord of an inn and they could go there. Unfortunately, he neglects to mention his father hates actors and isn’t very happy with his errant son.
They head there anyway, and chaos ensues. Former troupe member Piero is hot on their heels and plotting revenge, his new company aren’t very happy being dragged all over the place and getting a bit fed up with him.
It all comes to a head in Tom’s home town, and the Fair, where a new patron could be found and fortunes reversed, if they could all stop trying to sabotage each other for long enough and stay out of the local constable’s cells.
Clever, funny and highly enjoyable, I’m looking forward to the next act.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 