Verona - Marcus Hogan

. .

Résumé :
The epic prequel series continues. They left war behind them in France. What lies ahead is far more perilous. Following an unexpected truce that ends the bloody Hundred Years War, the newlywed Capulets find themselves free to journey to Verona to meet Armand's sister. But now they are married, Armand's small but colorful retinue, Marcel, Caspar and Fabrizio, must adjust to a new life in formidable feminine company, including their new mistress Ilaria de Capulet and her fiery new server. A pair of experienced Italian soldiers who served Armand's family for many years are assigned to protect them on the long journey. They know the path forward well. But navigating the adventurous road on their marriage tour, through the alps to northern Italy and onto Verona, will be full of surprises and perils. The glamorous young Capulets are to be wooed by influential famille and associates as they press on, hoping to win hearts and minds. Though not all will be so welcoming to the new faction leaders-in-waiting. Jealousies surface, personal ambitions are revealed in surprising moments that lead the newlyweds into danger. Yet the most perilous surprise awaits at their final destination. Armand's sister Aurelie is now prima Donna to the powerful Cortelanni faction in Verona. Settled in the northern hills with her husband Don Sabatino, their beautiful estate sits next to the ancestral home of the most powerful mercenary warlord in the region. The paths of two famous families will cross. The result will be startling. It won't be love at first sight....

Biographie:
I conceived this project in Boston during the summer of '92 while producing my first Shakespeare (Romeo & Juliet). It was staged at the Huntington Theatre Studio and sold out before we opened. That was when the notion of a prequel was born that would reveal how the famous families came to be at each other's throats, and how the associations between so many characters were first formed. The full story frame of Capulet (6 books) was written over 4 years writing 7 days a week 7 hours a day with just a few exceptions.For the trivial record, my first experience with Shakespeare was as a punishment in my last year of high school. I was given a detention for fighting (a bully was harassing a friend and though I'm no hero I intervened). The English Mistress who caught us made me memorise the 'quality of mercy' monologue from The Merchant of Venice. It had to be word perfect to avoid another stay. She told me it wasn't word perfect. But she said I was 'good' and would let me off if I agreed to audition for the play. I did. Somehow I managed to get the lead.That led me to a BA in Drama at the University of Queensland. UQ led me to a BFA in Acting at Cornish College in the USA. That led to specialised study at the National Shakespeare Conservatory in NY (closed after 9/11) and finally an MFA scholarship to study Directing at Boston University. Fast forward 25 years. I began this project in earnest during the last few months of the pandemic.I hope their tale moves you. I found it very moving to write.Marcus Hogan...

Sommaire:
The epic prequel series continues. They left war behind them in France. What lies ahead is far more perilous. Following an unexpected truce that ends the bloody Hundred Years War, the newlywed Capulets find themselves free to journey to Verona to meet Armand's sister. But now they are married, Armand's small but colorful retinue, Marcel, Caspar and Fabrizio, must adjust to a new life in formidable feminine company, including their new mistress Ilaria de Capulet and her fiery new server. A pair of experienced Italian soldiers who served Armand's family for many years are assigned to protect them on the long journey. They know the path forward well. But navigating the adventurous road on their marriage tour, through the alps to northern Italy and onto Verona, will be full of surprises and perils. The glamorous young Capulets are to be wooed by influential famille and associates as they press on, hoping to win hearts and minds. Though not all will be so welcoming to the new faction leaders-in-waiting. Jealousies surface, personal ambitions are revealed in surprising moments that lead the newlyweds into danger. Yet the most perilous surprise awaits at their final destination. Armand's sister Aurelie is now prima Donna to the powerful Cortelanni faction in Verona. Settled in the northern hills with her husband Don Sabatino, their beautiful estate sits next to the ancestral home of the most powerful mercenary warlord in the region. The paths of two famous families will cross. The result will be startling. It won't be love at first sight....