Cue For Treason

The book begins with a boy named Peter Brownrigg, who decides to run away from his village in Cumberland, North England after throwing a rock at Sir Phillip Morton, a powerful noble who had raised taxes and built a stone wall to keep local farmers from using the common fields. Peter was acting as a lookout for the men tearing down the wall. After alerting the men to Sir Pillip's approach, Peter throws a rock and is fired on by one of Sir Phillip's men.

When Peter goes to Penrith, he runs into Sir Phillip at a play being put on by a touring playing company and he hides in a coffin which is a prop for the show. The players discover Peter when they leave and decide to take him and another boy named Kit Kirkstone on as boy actors. Peter is jealous of Kit's acting ability. Later the acting company takes Kit and Peter to London where they both get accepted as apprentices by William Shakespeare who praises their acting abilities.

While in London, Peter and Kit perform in several plays, but then Peter spots Sir William at a performance of Henry the Fifth and Peter has to hide. At this point, Kit and Peter discover that Sir William is involved in a plot to kill Queen Elizabeth and decide they must warn the Queen. Kit and Peter have a fight and Peter realizes Kit is actually a girl after he punches her. Their plan is to have the Queen open up the common lands again. The pair have many close calls with spies and conspirators but it all works out in the end. I won't give away the entire plot because I want you to read the book, but all I can say is that you will not be disappointed.

Peter Brownrigg is the stereotypical curious, adventurous and independent thirteen-year-old. To the reader of Cue for Treason, Peter appears as a fit, well-built, somewhat shaggy young teenager. His dark hazel eyes complement his scruffy brown hair and a solid jaw line presents a tough young kid. These physical characteristics are a direct picture of his mind, his feelings and his background.

Peter being self-confident, powerful and determined is always going to stand out amongst the crowd. For Peter it was in his marvellous acting on stage at The Globe or throwing a rock at Sir Philip Morton as a sign of rebellion. His quick wit, excellent memory and choice to act on his instincts, were all talents, which enabled him to achieve, while at the same time fighting off Sir Philip's men and saving the Queen from certain death. This proves that he is a very capable and courageous young man and this is visible to the people around him and the reader.

As a run-away young girl, Kirkstone chooses to dress, talk and even fight like a boy to fool those around her to think she is a male. This is so she can become an actor in some of Shakespeare's plays. Her short cut blonde hair and deep blue eyes are all trademarks of a wealthy, well looked after young girl, but her strong build and scruffy appearance hide these feminine features. Kit is often described as a natural female performer and that she has a real knack for it and is able to understand and portray the female so well. In fact, this is because she has the personality of a female, which complements her physical characteristics.

Similar to Peter Brownrigg, Kit is a self confident and competitive young teenager. She is most determined which could be a result of always wanting to be able 'keep up' with the boys. Her marvellous sense of awareness is featured when she follows the Yellow Gentleman back to his home, and her quick wit is heard when she phrases puns with no sense of difficulty. Kit is able to fool the reader and her friends and even fellow actors of her own sex, and her being seen as a male definitely changes the way they treat her.