Sweet William: A User's Guide to Shakespeare

Michael Penningtons solo show about Shakespeare, Sweet William, was acclaimed throughout Europe and in the US as a unique blend of showmanship and scholarship. In this book, he deepens his exploration of Shakespeares life and work – and the connection between the two – that lies at its heart.

It is illuminated throughout by the unrivalled insights into the plays that Pennington gained from the twenty thousand hours he spent working on them as a leading actor, an artistic director and a director – and as the author of three previous books on individual Shakespeare plays.

With practical analysis, wonderfully detailed and entertaining interpretations of characters and scenes, and vivid reflections on Shakespeares theatre and ours, the result is a masterclass of the most enjoyable kind for theatregoers, professionals, students and anyone interested in Shakespeare.

This book was published in hardback as Sweet William: Twenty Thousand Hours With Shakespeare.

A brilliant and intimate insiders guide to Shakespeare from one of our greatest classical actors Gregory Doran

Michael Pennington is a great Shakespearian actor who writes with the authority of an academic. His book analyses the plays, the characters and the playwrights life. It will intrigue, entertain and challenge students, actors and their audiences Ian McKellen

Rich and informative, and something that will be mined for many years to come by anyone interested in Shakespeare and in British theatre Professor James Shapiro

Shakespeare comes wonderfully to life in Michaels beautifully written book Rupert Everett

Irresistibly readable Peter Brook