It’s the winter of 1589, and the actors of Lord Strange’s Men are rehearsing a new play by their young playwright William Shakespeare.

But in a shock intervention, the authorities close the company down over some trifling transgression. Unable to work, Will starts writing a new play, Titus Andronicus, which he hopes to sell to one of the other acting companies.

Disaster strikes when the play, along with the rest of the company’s precious collection of playscripts, is stolen from his room. Facing the ruin of his reputation and career, Will engages the help of Edward ‘Cutting’ Ball, the leader of a gang of thieves and conmen, to help find the plays.

The ensuing search leads into the murky waters of theatrical rivalries intertwined with political machinations that reach high into the court of Queen Elizabeth I.