Opus Pocus

The story opens with the demolishing of the Burbage's Theatre and loading of the beams onto a horse drawn skid handled by 14yo Wm. Rowley. The landowner, Giles Allen, turns up with George Wilkins and a gang of thugs who try to prevent Rowley taking the beams to the river. Rowley shoves Wilkins who's about to retaliate when actors, Wm. Kempe and Wm. Shakespeare and the rest of the Lord Chamberlain's Men see them off. Rowley tells Kempe he wants to be a clown/actor like him. Kempe takes him on as his apprentice. When theatres are shut down due to plague, Rowley accompanies Shakespeare as he travels to Stratford via Oxford. In Oxford they overnight at the Salutation Tavern owned by John and Jane Davenant. Rowley sleeping in the stable is wounded by a thief come to steal his supper. He falls in love with the beautiful Jane Davenant who dresses his wound. In Stratford, Rowley saves Elizabeth Wheeler from a bloodthirsty mob intent on making her wear a scold's bridle and ducking her. The angry mob turn on Rowley but he wins them over with his tumbling routines and witty rhymes. He stays in Shakespeare's home where he is "adopted" as an honorary member of the family. When theatres are allowed to reopen Rowley returns to the Globe Theatre becoming the actor/clown in place of Kempe who died during the plague. After Shakespeare's death, his son-in-law, Dr. John Hall, brings Shakespeare's nephew, young Wm. Hart, to the Globe to be apprenticed to Rowley. Dr. Hall hands Rowley a play, "The Childe hath Found His Father" started by Shakespeare for Rowley to finish and sign his name to. Rowley finishes the play and stages it at the Globe Theatre billed as "The Birth of Merlin" by Wm. Shakespeare and Wm. Rowley.