Banquo’s Son
TK Roxborogh
Penguin

Ever wonder what happened to Fleance at the end of Macbeth? No, neither did I.

The little known Shakespearean bit part of Fleance, fleetingly seen like the flea his name suggests in Act 3, scene V of ‘the Scottish play,’ last appeared as a mere stage direction after his father’s despicable murder.

Banquo: O treachery! Fly good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou may’st avenge.
Dies. (Fleance escapes)

We all know what happens to forgotten child stars once the heady highs of fame fade, petite chubby-cheeked Gary Coleman a case in point. Thank goodness then, that TK Roxborogh has remembered Fleance, because it looks like Hollywood is coming a’knockin.

Yes, Hooray for Hollywood – notoriously up for any-and-all historical re-writery – having optioned Banquo’s Son (the first part in a trilogy sequel to Shakespeare’s Macbeth and amongst Roxborogh’s prolific output of 20 books published in NZ) in the form of top New York City literary agency Writers House. An auction for the US rights will be held in early October, with a film hopefully released by 2012. As part of the deal, Tania is to be re-branded TK, as it’s more international. ‘Like JK, as in Rowlings?’ asked the economist, that devil’s advocate. Perhaps American book audiences are simple creatures and thus highly suggestible.

Banquo’s Son catches up with Fleance 10 years after escaping from his father’s murderers. A comely lad, he lives with his adoptive parents in the relative safety of England. All is not milk churns and long drops though, as Fleance is haunted by his father’s restless ghost crying out for vengeance. Naturally, Fleance embarks on a quest across the border to avenge his father’s murder-most-foul, getting caught up in events both beyond and within his control. Historical liberties are taken hither and yon, as are coronational ones. I’d just like to point out that the period we are dealing with does involve the English chopping off stubborn Clansmen’s heads and displaying them pike-ward if they dared to wear their tartans. Tasteful enough for Hollywood? Oh, probably.

Reading Banquo’s Son, I was at first bemused to hear that this book had been so celebritised and scooped up, but then it hit me. Hollywood execs aren’t crass moneymen after all, but bold visionaries. Banquo’s Son opens up a world of possibilities for story lines based on peripheral characters from Shakespeare’s collected works. Shakespeare has been deceased for ages. So, no copyright! It is quite simply, marketing genius.

I envision a whole new genre springing up in the footsteps of this sequel to Macbeth and, yes, I know Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead.

Some suggestions:

A remake of the Parent Trap starring Polonius.
A romantic comedy, One Night with Paris.
A musical, Flourishing, starring Heralds Three.
An episode of Country Calendar: White Ewes, Preventing Black Ram Tupping of, starring Brabantio
The late night comedy stylings of First Gravedigger.

The last time someone was mad for a sequel in our house, it was teenage daughter going nuttso for the Twilight series, and no coincidence. Banquo’s Son is ready-made for thousands of screaming teenage fans. In the first book, Fleance’s object is to be free of his father’s ghost, but his heart’s desire is to be with Rose, (both characters I found to be difficult to sympathise with, even annoying, which proves that I am not 16). I just know teenagers will love the rollercoaster ride of the Rose/Fleance relationship. Will he, won’t she. Plus, not to be a plot spoiler, but Rose isn’t actually the only recipient of Fleance’s almost-manly affections. I picture a movie with vast tortured eye contact and lengthy pauses. Sigh. Life is so hard. That sort of thing.

Banquo’s Son. An enormous audience exists for this book and the movie series which will spring from it, but it doesn’t include me. However, as the novelist’s equivalent of the skinny woman inside every fat lady, (i.e. I haven’t even finished my first book, let alone my 20th) I’m just jealous.