The rivalry's the thing in 'Swansong,' a play about Shakespeare and Jonson

Everyone has heard of William Shakespeare (well, almost everyone). And no one (in a manner of speaking) has heard of Ben Jonson.

In their day, however (the early 17th century)-- these two were like Bruce Springsteen and Bono, pop poets and showbiz superstars.

Shakespeare was older, more varied, more all-over-the-place. Jonson was more fastidious, more defined, less attuned to Everyman and Woman, more popular with cultivated, high-minded audiences.

Shakespeare and Jonson were friends and rivals. Jonson had a good deal to say about Shakespeare, some of it petty and malicious. As far as we know, Shakespeare had nothing much to say about Jonson.The relationship between these two may easily have been warm and cool, cordial and testy -- the very thing a writer looks for to power a story.

So thought actor/playwright and Broadway veteran Patrick Page. The Shakespeare/Jonson connection is the subject of Page's comedy "Swansong." The Seattle Shakespeare Company's production of Page's play opens Tuesday.

The SSC normally produces four shows a year. Sharing the Center House Theatre with Book-It Repertory Theatre is a good deal financially. But it makes it hard for either company to bulk up its output.

SSC artistic director Stephanie Shine was delighted with "Swansong" when she heard a reading of it. She thought it would make a good add-on for her 2007-08 season. But where to add it on?

Normally the SSC performs Thursdays through Sundays. That's when "Julius Caesar" will be playing starting tonight. "Swansong" will be tucked into the off nights.

"Swansong" runs through Jan. 23. Tickets are $20; 206-733-8222 or seattleshakespeare.org.

-- Joe Adcock