Beyond Shakespeare

Discussing: John Rastell, with John Thor Ewing - modern editor of Rastell's A Hundred Merry Tales, which is available now from all good book sellers. John Rastell was a huge influence on early modern drama, not only as a playwright (of The Four Elements and parts of Gentleness and Nobility) but more importantly as a publisher and stager of plays. His Jest Book, A Hundred Merry Tales, was an incredibly popular work of the time, and now has a spanking new edition edited by our guest. Host Robert Crighton discusses with John Thor Ewing the history of the book, John Rastell's life, and a little bit about their contemporaries and his own writing. Also featured, a preview of new weeks podcast, from our full cast audio production of the Cain sequence in the Chester Mystery Cycle. Support this podcast by going to www.patreon.com/beyondshakespeare or follow us @BeyondShakes on Twitter.

The Cain preview features performances by Andy Barrett as Abel and Richard Fawcett as Cain - with additional sfx from freesfx.co.uk and zapsplat.com

An archive recording of Act 1 of God's Promises written by protestant playwright John Bale in 1538 (staged in 1547). This act sees God talking to the prophet Adam - he will speak with another five prophets, before finally preparing the way for the arrival of Jesus through speaking to John the Baptist. This was a follow up (recorded in 2015) to a test recording made in 2013 (incorporating elements from that session), to give us an idea of what would be needed to bring the play to life. It's closer to how we'd like to record work in the future, but still work in progress. Other recordings from the play are available, and more is on the way. Narrator - Annie Eddington, God - Robert Crighton & Adam - Simon Nader

A Full Cast Adaptation of The Four P's by John Heywood

Three travellers meet and pass the time arguing as to who is better at getting to heaven - the Palmer, for his pilgrimages, the Pardoner for his relics, or the Pothecary for his medicines. They are met by a Peddler, who persuades them to settle their disagreement by having a contest in something they are all suited at - lying. A couple of tall tales later, and the Peddler is ready to make his judgement.

Otherwise known as The Four PP - the double PP is pronounced Peees - this is a full cast adaption recorded on location as part of the complete plays of John Heywood season.

With Robert Crighton as the Palmer, Heydn McCabe as the Pardoner, Geir Madland as the Pothecary and Rob Myson as the Peddler.

Recorded on location at the Constitutional Club, Bury St Edmunds, with addition sound effects thanks to http://www.freesfx.co.uk 

For more information about this podcast go to our blog. https://beyondshakespeare.blogspot.co.uk/

An updated version of our Roaring Girl episode - with a discussion about the play with Professor Tracey Hill of Bath Spa University and host Robert Crighton.

The prologue to The Roaring Girl by Middleton and Dekker is performed by Sarah Golding.

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

Anything For A Quiet Life (Prologue) - What's Past Is Prologue

A performance of the prologue to Anything for a Quiet Life by Thomas Middleton & John Webster - recorded to frustrate everyone who wants to hear a full production, and as a sitting accusation to the world for not supplying one.  

Prologue performed by Sarah Golding, produced by Robert Crighton. 

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

No Wit / Help Like A Woman's (Prologue) - What's Past Is Prologue 

A performance of the prologue to No Wit / Help Like A Womans, or The Almanac by Thomas Middleton - recorded to frustrate everyone who wants to hear a full production, and as a sitting accusation to the world for not supplying one. 

Prologue performed by Sarah Golding, produced by Robert Crighton

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

The Roaring Girl (Prologue) - What's Past Is Prologue

A performance of the prologue to The Roaring Girl by Thomas Middleton & Thomas Dekker - recorded to frustrate everyone who wants to hear a full production, and as a sitting accusation to the world for not supplying one.  
Prologue performed by Sarah Golding, presented by Robert Crighton 

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

The Bloody Banquet (Prologue) - What's Past Is Prologue

A performance of the prologue to The Bloody Banquet by Thomas Middleton & Thomas Dekker, followed by a mix of the prologue with stage directions from the Inductio. 

Prologue performed by Sarah Golding, presented by Robert Crighton

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