It's not all that big a step from the modern Marlow books, to be honest. AF's Shakespeare is essentially Rowan (if Rowan were a 16thc jobbing playwright/player) and an entirely fascinating and credible character. And the bits about acting and plays etc are not unlike the school stories that deal with The Prince and the Pauper and The Tempest and the Christmas play. Plus you can imagine how a Tudor male Nick has all kinds of opportunities denied to 20thc Nicola to be gallant and talented...