Nothing Like the Sun by Tom Stoppard. Short summary

5 seconds

A fictional love story between a young English playwright and Viola de Lessens, who supposedly inspired Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. For the sake of love, Viola dares to act in the theater.

1 minute

Shakespeare stages a comedy for the theater. Viola de Lessens, daughter of a wealthy merchant, disguised as a man, appears as Thomas Kent. Shakespeare is impressed by Thomas’s artistic talent and invites him to a rehearsal.

Viola and Shakespeare meet at a ball, where the girl’s engagement to the poor aristocrat Wessex is celebrated. The young people declare their love for each other. Wessex wants to kill the guest, but the latter escapes.

Love inspired Shakespeare to remake the play, and he creates Romeo and Juliet. «Kent» plays Romeo. Shakespeare recognizes Viola, and they make love.

John Webster spies on Viola and informs the authorities that the theater is illegally hiring female actors.

The play is staged at another theater. Shakespeare plays Romeo himself. Viola marries Wessex, but runs away from home and takes on the role of Juliet. Complete triumph.

The Queen settles a conflict with the law, forcing Viola and Wessex to go to the colonies, Virginia. Grief-stricken, Shakespeare writes Twelfth Night.