Will Review: The Play’s The Thing (Season 1 Episode 1)

Will Season 1 Episode 1, “The Play’s The Thing,” is full of the stuff that made Shakespeare’s plays so legendary: drama, comedy, betrayal, and wit.

We are thrust into the chaotic (and violent) world of 16th century London with the titular character, William Shakespeare—who as an unknown at this point goes just by “Will” (along with some other nicknames that his new-found friends and enemies give him).

It is very much like the old trope of a hopeful ingenue making their way to soulless Hollywood or Broadway. It stays fresh, though, because it is William Shakespeare, first and foremost, but also because of the modern punk-rock slant that is put on this period piece.

The Clash’s “London Calling” has been an overused cliche in film and TV when bringing a character or a story to London, but on Will it ups the excitement factor. Its out-of-place feel is exactly what makes it interesting.

This particular style of adding music that is not only not historically accurate, but purposefully in juxtaposition, is in Craig Pearce’s wheelhouse. Having written Moulin Rouge, he’s no stranger to this approach.

Later, “London Calling” is kind of remixed and reprised as Will gets his first glimpse of The Theater owned by the Burbage family. This scene feels a lot like Moulin Rouge—cheeky and fun.

It sets the tone for the rest of the episode. This show is not going to take itself too seriously, but it won’t shy away from serious content.

There are scenes of brutality and torture, and ones that portray the difficulties of the impoverished population in this harsh place and time. Mixed with bawdy humor and mood-lightening moments, its end result is nicely balanced.

Another reason this unusual technique of storytelling works is that the actors are selling it. It could very easily slip into cheesy territory, but it doesn’t.

Laurie Davidson (Will) and Olivia DeJonge (Alice Burbage) fit into this time and place effortlessly. Alice seems to be a feisty feminist which is exciting and promising to see in this boy’s club atmosphere.

William Houston as Kemp is definitely a highlight. He serves up the comedy and then some. How unexpected to see a man in golden ringlets, full makeup, and a dress stomp backstage saying, “Can’t even get his end away without being interrupted by some cock-blocking bastard!” and then go on to dance a choreographed routine to a booing crowd.

Colm Meany’s James Burbage tempers that raucousness with a much-needed level-headedness in this wild theater setting.

The character of Christopher Marlowe (Jamie Campbell Bower) is compelling. He is a villain, but one who is impressed by Will, and will not underestimate him.

Another fun scene is the battle of the wits. Newbie Will is baited into something that is a lot like the a capella riff-off in the Pitch Perfect movies. “Verse. Iambic pentameter. The first to falter eats shit.”

His challenger is educated poet, Greene—one of the founding members of the University Wits. Will schools the loftier than thou braggart, showing everyone that you don’t have to be well-read to have talent.

Will: Whether fine-feathered or the most common of birds, to wing our way to heaven all we need are words.

High off of his win, Will tells his new friends that he will write “the greatest plays this world has ever seen.” Even though we know his prediction is accurate, it is still thrilling to see him declare it.

Will’s drive and ambition is apparent. Several times Will has to justify his aspirations as being more than a selfish whim.

He does achieve a small amount of success and beginner’s luck quite quickly in this premiere episode, a bit to the point of being unbelievable. William Shakespeare is a literary superhero, and has been for centuries, so these far-fetched moments are negligible.

Stray Observations:

• Everything is colorful. The language, the costumes, the hair.
• “Are you a debt collector?” “I’m an actor.” “Worse.”
• “The theater-goer is deaf to morality.” I like how theater is unintentionally at the center of this political rebellion. Art always disrupts strict conformity.
• “Yes, I am one of those most useless of creatures: an educated woman.”
• Bruce Mackinnon is a tad over-the-top as Greene, Will’s cocky opponent, but it is one of the few times any of the performances felt that way.
• “I’m not free.” “You’re a man. Don’t talk to me about being free.” I love Alice so much already.

What did you think of this premiere episode of Will? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Will airs Mondays at 9/8c on TNT.

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