Beyond Shakespeare

Discussing: John Bale’s Biblical Plays

Host Robert Crighton discusses with Dr Jeff S. Dailey the Biblical plays of John Bale - God's Promises, John Baptist's Preaching and The Temptation (of which we have recordings on the podcast).  Jeff Dailey produced two of John Bale’s Biblical plays in 2017 (John Baptist's Preaching and The Temptation) – details about the production, cast and photos, can be found at http://johnbaleplays.blogspot.com/

Dr Jeff S. Dailey earned his PhD in theatre from NYU, with additional study at Wagner College, The College of Staten Island, The Folger Institute, New York Theological Seminary, General Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary.

This episode was recorded in late 2018 and features clips from some of our work - and includes some sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com and http://www.freesfx.co.uk.

Excerpts from God’s Promises: Noah, Alan Scott - Abraham, Geir Madland – God, Robert Crighton

Excerpt from Robin Hood and the Friar: Friar Tuck, Heydn McCabe – Robin Hood, Geir Madland Excerpt from Exploring John Baptist’s Preaching: Pharisee & Sadducee, Mark Scanlon and Mark Holtom – Jesus, Richard Fawcett

Excerpt from Exploring The Temptation: Satan, Alan Scott 

Support this podcast by going to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare or follow us @BeyondShakes on Twitter.

Exploring Albion Knight - a fragment (c.1537-1566)

From our Exploring workshop, where we read through the text of this fragmentary play for future use towards an audio/stage show. Albion Knight is about an attempt by two vice figures, Injury and Division, to disrupt the fair running of the realm by seeding, ahem, division between the various actors - in this fragment, Albion himself and Justice. We're playing around with how to make these pieces come alive for people today, starting with these recordings of reads through and workshops.   

The Beyond Shakespeare Irregulars this episode are Alan Scott, Liz Cole, and Mark Scanlon – with host, Robert Crighton.

The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare or follow us on Twitter @BeyondShakes

God's Promises by John Bale - Act 5, David

A plain text version of Act 5 of God's Promises written by protestant playwright John Bale in 1538. This act sees God talking to King David, part of a procession of prophets, before finally preparing the way for the arrival of Jesus through speaking to John the Baptist. This is a follow up to a test recording made in 2013 and incorporates elements from that session and maintaining the basic style for continuity. As a plain text version, with no music or sound effects beyond the odd filter, it's primarily here to give us - and you - an idea of what would be needed to bring the play to life. Other recordings from the play are available, and more are on the way. David is played by Heydn McCabe, God by Robert Crighton, and the narrator in Annie Eddington. 

For more info go to our website: www.beyondshakespeare.org - or you can support our work on patreon: www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare

The text to God's Promises can be found variously online with only a few textual issues - one example can be found here. 

The Three Lords and Three Ladies of London (Prologue) - What's Past Is Prologue

A performance of the prologue to The Three Lords and Three Ladies of London (c.1588) by Robert Wilson - recorded to frustrate everyone who wants to hear a full production, and as a sitting accusation to the world for not (necessarily) supplying one.  A bit of an introduction to this episode, as there's some visual business that doesn't come across on audio.

If you'd like to make us to do a full audio production of this play, join us on patreon and choose this play at the next vote. www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare or you can follow us on Twitter @BeyondShakes

Prologue performed by Sarah Golding, produced by Robert Crighton.

Additional sound effects from the wonderful people at http://www.freesfx.co.uk

Mortimer, His Fall – a tragedy by Ben Jonson (Fragment)

Ben Jonson started writing his play about Mortimer, Earl of March - who was de facto ruler of England after bumping off Edward II - but sadly, he died before finishing it.  All that survives is an outline, and this short opening scene between Mortimer and the Queen Mother, Isabell - which we have dutifully recreated for you here. Enjoy.

Mortimer, Earl of March was played by Geir Madland, Isabell, the Queen Mother, by Gillian Horgan, and Ben Jonson’s Arguments by Heydn McCabe.  The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare or follow us on Twitter @BeyondShakes

Exploring Good Order, or Old Christmas - a fragment from c.1533

From our Exploring workshop, where we read through the text of this fragmentary play for future use towards an audio/stage show.

This fragment is from the end of the play, where Riot and Gluttony – having obviously caused some upset to the land – are having their fate decided by Old Christmas (the ruler), upon the advise of Good Order.  They decide not to imprison them, but instead for them to be banished.  Prayer closes the play with... erm... a prayer.

These Exploring sessions are a beginning as we play around with how to make these pieces come alive for people today.

The Beyond Shakespeare Irregulars this episode are Alan Scott, Liz Cole, and Mark Scanlon – with host, Robert Crighton.

The Beyond Shakespeare Podcast is supported by its patrons – become a patron and you get to choose the plays we work on next. Go to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare or follow us on Twitter @BeyondShakes

God's Promises by John Bale - Act 3, Abraham

A plain text version of Act 3 of God's Promises written by protestant playwright John Bale in 1538. This act sees God talking to Abraham, part of a procession of prophets, before finally preparing the way for the arrival of Jesus through speaking to John the Baptist. This is a follow up to a test recording made in 2013 and incorporates elements from that session and maintaining the basic style for continuity. As a plain text version, with no music or sound effects beyond the odd filter, it's primarily here to give us - and you - an idea of what would be needed to bring the play to life. Other recordings from the play are available, and more are on the way. Abraham is played by Geir Madland, God by Robert Crighton, and the narrator in Annie Eddington.

For more info go to our website: www.beyondshakespeare.org - or you can support our work on patreon: www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare 

The text to God's Promises can be found variously online with only a few textual issues - one example can be found here.

The Three Ladies of London (Prologue) - What's Past Is Prologue

A performance of the prologue to The Three Ladies of London (1581/2) by Robert Wilson - recorded to frustrate everyone who wants to hear a full production, and as a sitting accusation to the world for not (necessarily) supplying one.   
If you'd like to make us to do a full audio production of this play, join us on patreon and choose this play at the next vote. www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare or you can follow us on Twitter @BeyondShakes  

Prologue performed by Sarah Golding, produced by Robert Crighton.

Additional sound effects from the wonderful people at http://www.freesfx.co.uk

The play is in print as part of the Revels Plays series, in Three Renaissance Usury plays and available online if you hunt.