the concept of nick actually writing good plays before everything went south. maybe nigel carried him mostly, but they were still good enough to manage a reputation
because lord clapham knows it's possible. he's got a valid excuse not to want to support them anymore. he wants an original play, he trusts the bottom brothers to come up with one. else he wouldn't be investing, i think. right? it just so happens that shakespeare comes out with richard ii at the same time. and nick's got every right to be jealous??
they started out in the same troupe. they started on the same level. why should will get special treatment? perhaps nick has watched will say his jokes but louder since forever and just can't deal with it anymore. and everyone's praising him for it. who wouldn't be mad
the first mistake he makes is taking the money and going to nostradamus for an idea. and a musical is a great one! nick is musically talented and his brother is lyrically. it's a goldmine! they just don't really have the time to come up with a properly fleshed-out plot. because they need it by tomorrow.
clapham is reasonably upset when they come up with the black death. what on earth was that. and THEN on top of that the puritans show up. so he leaves and nick is left with nothing
he goes back to nostradamus and does exactly what his rival has been, but significantly worse. he asks for an idea that'll have an audience lined up around the theatre. why does he trust this prophet?? it's desperation i think
they come up with omelette. they write and compose and choreograph omelette. it could've been so good.
shylock comes by and tells them that there's an audience around the block.
now whether this is will's doing or they've just done this on their own, i dont think is explained and if it is i'm choosing to ignore it
the concept of the bottom brothers' plays being so good that they'll sell out because of a shit new idea. because everyone trusts them to come out with something decent. we dont have context as to what they've been writing all this time. but they've evidently been successful
and then it all blows up in his face.
