←Recommendations of Bound by Truth (Full-length Historical Drama)

Sheila Rinear has succeeded in exhuming a great hero lost to history: Meg Roper. You won't find a more compelling historical drama this side of the Bard. Rinear's sparkling and witty dialogue imbues this 16th century historical drama with authenticity yet in a way that makes it accessible for today's audiences. Roper's mental jousting with King Henry VIII is madly entertaining! Rinear's play tackles issues as relevant today as they were in 1535, as Roper confronts the charming yet corrupt tyrant Henry--complex issues of morality, religious liberty, conscience and compromise. This is one for the ages! Brava, Ms, Rinear!

A powerful story of bravery in standing up for what one believes is right against the power that be. Well done!

I heard a selection of this play at the DG conference this summer, and I am so pleased to have found it here. From its first moments, this richly atmospheric play takes you into 15th century London, surrounding you with all its mutually appealing and appalling qualities. The characters are historical giants, yet Rinear manages to render them with a sense of compassion that allows us empathize with people who regularly would relegated to the wall of a royal portrait gallery. Despite the richness of the setting, it feels very contemporary in subject matter. Hope to see it onstage soon.

This is a fascinating play. The focus on More’s relationship with his daughter, Meg Roper, helps to address his complicated ideologies while revealing his humanity. Meg herself is an intriguing character, constantly torn between love for her father and passion for her own beliefs. Really interesting read!

A progressive take on a critical point in history whose messages are still relevant today, and brought out subtly and beautifully by the playwright. Sheila Rinear's characterizations are deep, and the engaging story and staging would work equally well for a prestige production or an educational piece done by schools.

Rinear has done a lovely job focusing on Thomas More's daughter Meg (Margaret) as the great protagonist of this piece. The play effortlessly feels accessible and pointed for a modern audience and feels truthfully grounded both in the historical era in which it is set as well as our contemporary view of it all. The characters are richly drawn and utterly human. It feels rare to see such characters as Henry VIII, Cromwell, and More presented as fully dimensional human beings rather than caricatures and Meg is a beautifully written role.

I read as Margaret at the DGA Conference in New York this year and it is a powerful role. I recommend reading this powerful story, providing feedback and seeing this play continue to evolve. I'm happy to have been a part of the reading.

Though it's set firmly in the Reformation Era, Thomas and Margaret Moore's father/daughter story will resonate for anybody who's loved, defended, and stood up for unpopular belief. Beautiful language throughout is full of humor and poetry.