Shakey all about

The Bard & Company is the latest multi-authored book project from 26. Conveniently enough, it turns out that there were 26 players in Shakespeare’s company, so that magic number of writers were assigned a play and a player, and asked to explore ways in which the Bard can bring lessons to modern business life.

I helped edit the book along with John Simmons and Rob Williams, and also contributed the finale, a chapter which features all 26 of the players. Being responsible for other’s work was a real eye-opener. Some writers were more receptive to advice than others, so my role was half quality controller and half egg-shell walker.

In comparison, writing my own chapter was a breeze. It’s a darkly comic tale of vaulting ambition and skulduggery on the Welcombe Hills outside Stratford, and was inspired by a real-life RSC publicity stunt which used a flotilla of hot-air balloons to pump ambient music and Shakespeare readings over the rooftops of Stratford.

‘The Bard & Company – Shakespeare’s Role in Modern Business Life’ is published by Cyan and out now. You can buy it from Amazon for a mere £8.57.