Ep 2. The Play's the Thing

Shakespeare & Hathaway is a British drama series that follows the exploits of private investigators Frank Hathaway (Mark Benton) and Luella Shakespeare (Jo Joyner) as they take on cases in the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon.

In season 2 episode 2, entitled "The Play's the Thing," Frank and Luella investigate the theft of a priceless manuscript from the local theatre. The manuscript in question is none other than an original copy of Shakespeare's lost play, "Love's Labour's Won," which was believed to have been destroyed in a fire.

As Frank and Luella begin their investigation, they quickly discover that there are more suspects than they initially thought. The theatre company's director, Martin, seems to have a motive for stealing the manuscript, as he recently had a falling out with the theatre's owners over the direction of the company. Meanwhile, actress Sally seems oddly obsessed with the lost play, and actor Danny seems to be hiding something.

As the investigation continues, Frank and Luella find themselves drawn deeper into the world of Shakespearean theatre. They attend rehearsals, interview actors, and even participate in a sword fight rehearsal. Along the way, they learn more about the history of "Love's Labour's Won" and the mystery surrounding its disappearance.

Finally, after a series of twists and turns, Frank and Luella discover the identity of the thief and recover the stolen manuscript. The episode ends with a triumphant performance of "Love's Labour's Won" at the theatre, with Frank and Luella in attendance.

Overall, "The Play's the Thing" is a thrilling and engaging episode of Shakespeare & Hathaway that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. With its intriguing mystery, colorful characters, and deep dive into the world of Shakespearean theatre, this episode is a must-watch for fans of the series.