2009.11.19. Equivocation at Seattle Repertory Theatre, a new play by Bill Cain from Ashland's Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Plot summary: William Shakespeare was commissioned by Robert Cecil to write a play of the failed Gunpowder Plot, while father Henry Garnet was being trialed for his involvement. As how to answer under oath a question whose answer lies between a lie or death, equivocation comes to play. How to stage a play without angering the king and Cecil, Shakespeare and his actors had to make adjustments.

Good acting, simple stage (with fire), effective storm simulation (by light and sound). Long (3 hours). A bit too ambitious for the playwright to touch on these other themes: father daughter relationship, faith, artist's block and rivalry, ruthless politician, Macbeth & King Lear, current political comments. A little messy, but overall enjoyable.