New play about Shakespeare and his lover to get world premiere

A new play by Nick Dear is to focus on Shakespeare's relationship with the 3rd Earl of Southampton.

The relationship between the two has long been a subject of speculation. Shakespeare dedicated his narrative poems Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece to Southampton – also called Henry Wriothesley – and many believe Southampton is the "Fair Youth" of Shakespeare's sonnets.

Dedication is set during a trial where Shakespeare questioned about his relationship with Wriothesley.

Sam Hodges will direct Tom McKay as Shakespeare and Tom Rhys-Harries as the Earl of Southampton. The show opens in September at the Nuffield Theatre.

Dedication – Shakespeare and Southampton runs at the Nuffield Theatre from 20 September to 8 October with previews from 9 September.