1. Overview

Breaking the Quill (originally titled Inside William) is a Korean original musical reimagining the creation of Shakespeare’s masterpieces. Characters such as Hamlet, Juliet, and Romeo escape from their scripts, forcing Shakespeare himself to navigate chaos and rediscover the meaning of storytelling. The work was created by Theater Fever (연극열전) and has been developed with both Korean and UK creative teams.


2. Background and Development

The musical began as Inside William, developed in Korea as a playful re-telling of how Shakespeare’s works might have been written. It was selected for the first K-Musical Roadshow in London (2022), where a 30-minute English highlights showcase was presented alongside Marie Curie and My Bucket List.

In 2023, the show entered the K-Musical Anglo-American Mid-Term Development Program, receiving support for adaptation workshops with UK partners James Steel Productions. Over 18 months, the script, music, and lyrics were revised and localized. New songs were added, and Korean lyrics quoting Shakespeare’s original texts were re-translated into English. The title was changed to Breaking the Quill for its London presentation.


3. International Performances

2022 – London Showcase: A 30-minute highlight version was performed in English as part of the K-Musical Roadshow, presented to local producers and investors.

2024 – The Other Palace Studio, London: On July 16, 2024, Breaking the Quill was staged as a special showcase with Richard Carson (Hamlet), Peter Hannah (Shakespeare), Scott Hunter (Romeo), and Lauren Jones (Juliet). Directed in English with music by Cheeyoung Kim and book/lyrics by Hansol Kim, the show highlighted its cross-cultural adaptability.


4. Synopsis

Hamlet, Juliet, and Romeo break free from Shakespeare’s manuscript pages, colliding in a surreal “unknown space” where their destinies blur. Juliet seeks forgotten dreams, Hamlet transforms from vengeful prince to poetic soul, and Romeo struggles with rejected love. Meanwhile, Shakespeare desperately tries to restore order and complete his masterpieces Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet.


5. Artistic Approach

The piece combines humor, drama, and meta-theatrical play, blending Korean musical craft with Shakespeare’s texts. It is staged with chamber-style intimacy, prioritizing actors and music over spectacle, while exploring themes of fate, free will, and the writer’s creative struggle.


6. Legacy and Significance

Breaking the Quill marks one of the first Korean musicals to use Shakespeare as an entry point to Anglo-American audiences. Evolving from Inside William into a localized adaptation, its London workshops demonstrate how Korean creative teams are tailoring original works for the English-language market under government-supported export programs.