King of Shadows

King of Shadows is a children's novel by Susan Cooper published in 1999 by Penguin. The book was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.

Only in the world of theatre can Nat Field find an escape from the tragedies that have shadowed his young life. So he is thrilled when he is chosen to join an American drama troupe travelling to London to perform "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in a new replica of the famous Globe Theatre.Shortly after arriving in England, Nat goes to bed ill and awakens transported back in time four hundred years--to another London,and another production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Amid the bustle and excitement of an Elizabeth theatrical production, Nat finds the warm, nurturing father figure missing from his life--in none other than William Shakespeare himself. Does Nat have to remain trapped in the past forever, or give up the friendship he's so longed for in his own time?

(The newest version of the cover features Nat on a skateboard, taller than the clouds, even though there is not a single mention of a skateboard in the book.)

Characters

Nat Field

The protagonist of the story, Nat Field is a young boy who is missing a father figure in his life. Only by escaping into the world of the theatre is he able to live life to the fullest.He also has no mother so he lives with his Aunt who encourged him to start acting so he could forget his worries.

Roper

A mischievous boy whom Nat meets during his 'visit' to the Elizabethan times, Roper hates Nat at first for his talent in tumbling. Roper is an excellent tumbler and fencer and cannot stand having someone better than he. Later, when Nat applies the Heimlech Manuever to save Roper from choking, Roper realizes that he shouldn't hate Nat for his talent.

Richard 'Arby' Babbage

The parallel to the Richard Burbage in Elizabethan times, Arby is the boss of the Company of Boys. He is known to be strict and hard, but near the end of the story he helps Nat deal with his loss of Shakespeare. Arby is scrit and has a temper. He is the boss and is very bossy.

Film, TV or theatrical adaptations

It was adapted in 2005 for the stage and was premièred at New York State Theatre Institute, NYSTI. Staring P.J. Verhoest as Nat, David Bunce as Shakespeare, John Romeo as Burbage, and Aaron Marquise as Roper.