A review by lizzillia
The Ghost Theatre by Mat Osman

4.5

The Ghost Theatre is a marriage of historical fiction and magical realism and is set in Elizabethan England around Southwark with it bear pits, cock fighting arenas, whorehouses and theatres. Our main character is Shay, a bird worshipper who disguises herself as a boy so she can travel around the streets of London and our opening scene is a chase across the rooftops and a meeting with Nonesuch, a boy sold into the Blackfriars Theatre and is their 'star' performer. The Blackfriars Boys being based upon the boys companies that were something of a phenomenon at that time. Shay joins the theatre troupe and becomes a performer. She has an affinity with birds and is able to tell fortunes through songs that she can't remember singing. Her fame spreads and she even has an audience with Queen Elizabeth who after hearing Shay's prediction, puts into action cruel policies. After this, the story moves on through political uprising, betrayal and devotion as Nonesuch creates  The Ghost Theatre, a sort of 'pop-up' theatre which is largely unscripted but causes the poor and the apprentice boys to rise up. There is a feel for London in here and we often get a bird's eye view as Shay journey's over the rooftops. Her character is one you feel sympathy for, unlike Nonesuch. He pulls you in all sorts of directions. We  are even given glimpses of characters from the time, John Blank and Evans the theatre manager. Even the Blackfriars boys, particularly Trussel find a spot in your heart. This is a story that draws not only on the superstitions of the Elizabethan time but the apprentice riots, the spy networks and the violent groups set up by Elizabeth who opposed her. A read that takes you on a flight across England.