What really happened during Shakespeare's 'Lost Years'? Hopeless lute player Bill Shakespeare leaves his home to follow his dream.
Acting
Six actors play forty+ roles with manic commitment.
Writing
Witty anachronisms that actually respect history.
Costume
Ridiculous wigs and mustaches as comedic weapons.
Director
Richard Bracewell
Mathew Baynton
William 'Bill' Shakespeare / Lord Burghley / English Messenger / Customs Official
Simon Farnaby
Earl of Croydon / Juan Domingo / Sausage / Dmitri Alexandrovitch / Fur Seller
Martha Howe-Douglas
Anne Hathaway / Molly / Spanish Courtier / Body Collector
Jim Howick
Christopher Marlowe / Gabriel Montoya / Cynical Jester / Palace Doorman / Mysterious Man / Even Grubbier Thief / Party Planner
Laurence Rickard
Sir Francis Walsingham / Lope Lopez / Stand-Up Jester / Chatty Guard / Slightly Late Courtier / Ian / Hanging Criminal / Chicken Drumstick
Ben Willbond
King Phillip II of Spain / Earl of Southampton / Grubby Thief / Alexander Dimitrievitch / Head of Guards
Helen McCrory
Queen Elizabeth I
Damian Lewis
Sir Richard Hawkins
Justin Edwards
Sir Francis Drake
Rufus Jones
Sir Walter Raleigh
Jamie Demetriou
Sergio
Tom Meeten
Spanish Servant
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The entire cast wrote for Horrible Histories TV series, explaining the rapid-fire historical gags.
Released the same year as the more serious 'Bill' biopic theory—this one chose chaos instead.
GB
