6: An Ordinance for the Abolishing of All Stage Plays
An Ordinance for the Utter Suppression and Abolishing of All Stage Plays and Interludes - 1647 A reading of the ordinance that abolished stage plays in 1647 - the final podcast in our timeline, ironically one of the earliest recorded. Performed by Geir Madland and produced by Robert Crighton.
7m May 11, 2018
7m
5: The Pardoner and the Friar by John Heywood
A Full Cast Adaptation of John Heywood's comedy, The Pardoner and the Friar. A Pardoner and a Friar arrive at a church to beg for alms - unfortunately at the same time, the each refusing to give way to the other. With increasing frustration they compete for the audiences attention, before things get more fraught with the arrival of the local Parson. With Rob Myson as the Friar and Heydn McCab...
33m May 07, 2018
33m
4: From the Rehearsals for John John
From the Rehearsals for John John by John Heywood - Bonus Material to accompany the live recording, this is the first read through of the uncut play. As we had to make cuts for the live recording, it seemed only fair to release this read through of the uncut script. Due to the archive nature of the recording, audio quality varies. The readers are Sian Notley, Mark Jenner and Robert Crighton. F...
38m Apr 28, 2018
38m
3: Fragments - A Speech by 'Reason'
Fragments - A Speech by 'Reason' by John Heywood There's a lost play by John Heywood from which only one short speech survives - a character called Reason who makes the argument that he is the most important part of Man. The play would probably have been allogorical, with characters named Reason, Man etc. personified on stage. Introduced by Robert Crighton, with text from the source read by Ro...
2m Apr 27, 2018
2m
2: John John by John Heywood
John John by John Heywood A Full Cast Audio Adaptation of 'A merry play between John John the husband, Tyb his wife, and Sir John the Priest' by John Heywood. John John believes his wife is having an affair with the local priest. He's right, but that doesn't mean he can't be tricked into inviting the priest to his home and eat his dinner. With Mark Jenner as John John, Sian Notley as Tyb and...
31m Apr 27, 2018
31m
1: Witty and Witless by John Heywood
Witty and Witless by John Heywood A Full Cast Adaptation of the Stage Play, part of the complete plays of John Heywood box set. Originally written as a play for the court of Henry VIII, this audio production resets the action to a pub, where three men try to decide whether a person is happier if they are clever or not. With Rob Myson as John, Heydn McCabe as James, and Robert Crighton as Jer...
45m Apr 27, 2018
45m
21: The Durham Prologue
Fragment from a lost play
3m Nov 22, 2017
3m
Adam and Eve - Chester Mystery Cycle
Adam and Eve from the Chester Mystery Cycle Based on the first half of the Drapers Play, this recording covers the creation of the world through to the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden. Sound effects and musical stings are from https://www.zapsplat.com and http://www.freesfx.co.uk under creative commons licence. Cast: God - Robert Crighton, Adam - Cecil Qadir, Demon - Trevor La...
25m Oct 10, 2017
25m
Duke Moraud: In Conversation
Duke Moraud: In Conversation - discussion of the fragmentary play with cast member Simon Nader and producer Robert Crighton. Full audio recordings also available of the original text and the live version produced in 2017
55m Aug 23, 2017
55m
Duke Moraud: Live!
Duke Moraud: Live! Adapted by Robert Crighton with Simon Nader as The Duke.Based on the lost anonymous play, this is a recording of the live stage show from 2017. Originally Duke Moraud was a medieval morality play, hear it now as a comedy performed by Donald Trump! To listen to a more faithful version of the surviving fragments, or to hear more about the original play, go to the other podcasts...
31m Aug 23, 2017
31m
Duke Moraud: Unedited Fragments
Duke Moraud: Unedited Fragments - the complete recording of all parts of the lost anonymous play. Written at the end of the 15th Century this morality tale tells the story of a Duke who has an incestuous affair with his daughter. This plain text version includes a performance of the surviving fragments with narrative links. Two additional podcasts on this play are also available - a live stage ...
15m Aug 23, 2017
15m
God's Promises by John Bale - Act 6
A rough recording of Act 6 of God's Promises written by protestant playwright John Bale in 1538. This act sees God talking to the prophet Esaias, preparing the way for the arrival of John the Baptist and eventually Jesus. This was a follow up (recorded early 2015) to a test recording made in 2013, to give us an idea of what would be needed to bring the play to life. It's closer to how we'd like...
7m Mar 05, 2016
7m
Archive Recording: Medieval Mysteries 2
A very rough archive recording of the second half of an impromptu performance of medieval Mystery plays. Featuring plays of the Kings, Herod and the Slaughter of the Innocents. Mostly from the Towneley Cycle, though with sections of Chester. Recorded in the bar at the Quay Theatre in December 2006. #medieval #mysteryplays
41m Jan 16, 2016
41m
Archive Recording: Medieval Mysteries
A very rough archive recording of an impromptu performance of medieval Mystery plays. Featuring plays on the Annunciation, Joseph's Doubt, Nativity and the three Shepherds. Mostly from the Towneley Cycle, though with sections of Chester. Recorded in the bar at the Quay Theatre in December 2006. #medieval #mysteryplays
39m Dec 10, 2015
39m
The Fall of Lucifer - Chester Mystery Cycle
The Fall of Lucifer - Play 1 of the Chester Mystery Cycle A Full Cast Recording of the first play of the Chester Cycle - The Tanners Play covering the fall of Lucifer up to the creation of the world. Recorded in 2013. Cast: God - Robert Crighton Lucifer - Trevor Laver Lightbourne - Richard Fawcett Angels and Archangels - Helen Arbon, Neil Arbon, Adam Webster, Kevin Roychowdhury, AM Barrett, An...
16m Sep 02, 2015
16m
The Pride of Life - Surviving Text
Full text recording of 'The Pride of Life' - from rehearsals of a reconstruction of the play produced in 2015. This anonymous play is one of the earliest pieces of drama in English and only partially survives. For more information about this recording go to our blog - http://beforeshakespeare.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/the-pride-of-life-reconstruction.html Cast: Prologue - Robert CrightonKing of Li...
19m Sep 02, 2015
19m
Chester Plays 10.3: Slaughter of the Innocents
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are performed with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. Final part covering the Slaughter of the Innocents - where Herod comes to a sticky end.
9m May 08, 2015
9m
Chester Plays 10.2: Slaughter of the Innocents
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are performed with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. Second of three parts covering the Slaughter of the Innocents - where the soldiers are send out.
10m May 08, 2015
10m
Chester Plays 10.1: Slaughter of the Innocents
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are performed with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. First of three parts covering the Slaughter of the Innocents - where Herod makes his plans.
10m May 06, 2015
10m
Chester Plays 9.2: Adoration of the Magi
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are performed with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. Second of two parts of the Adoration of the Magi play - where the 3 Kings leave the Holy family.
4m May 03, 2015
4m
Chester Plays 9.1: Adoration of the Magi
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are performed with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. First of two parts of the Adoration of the Magi play - where the 3 Kings travel and discuss their gifts to Jesus.
8m May 03, 2015
8m
Chester Plays 8.2: Magi & Herod
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are performed with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. This is the second of two parts of the Magi & Herod play - Herod consults on the prophesies of Jesus, having met with the 3 Kings.
10m Apr 29, 2015
10m
Chester Plays 8.1: Magi & Herod
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are performed with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. This is the first of two parts of the Magi & Herod play - where the 3 Kings meet with Herod in their search for the Christ child.
10m Apr 29, 2015
10m
Chester Plays 7.4: Shepherds
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are performed with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. This post completes play 7, The Shepherds, where our four sheep herds (and various boys) pay homage to Jesus.
10m Apr 28, 2015
10m
Chester Plays 7.3: Shepherds
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are performed with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. This post continues play 7, The Shepherds, where our four sheep herds hear the song of an Angel and go to Bethlehem.
10m Apr 25, 2015
10m
Chester Plays 7.2: Shepherds
FIRST FEW MINUTES SUFFERS FROM MIC PROBLEMS - DO NOT ADJUST YOUR SET! Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are taken apart with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges (first 2 minutes especially so!), edited versions of these events are now being posted online. This post continues play 7, The Shepherds, where we meet the fourth S...
9m Apr 25, 2015
9m
Chester Plays 7.1: Shepherds
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are taken apart with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. This post covers the start of play 7, The Shepherds, where we meet the first three Shepherds, hear about how they look after their sheep, and sit down to eat.
10m Apr 06, 2015
10m
Chester Plays 6.4: Nativity
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are taken apart with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. This post continues our look at play 6, The Nativity, where the story goes off on a tangent.
10m Apr 03, 2015
10m
Chester Plays 6.3: Nativity
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are taken apart with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. This post continues our look at play 6, The Nativity, where there's an addition of two midwives to the traditional story.
9m Apr 02, 2015
9m
Chester Plays 6.2: Nativity
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are taken apart with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. This post continues our look at play 6, The Nativity, where the traditional narrative begins.
10m Apr 01, 2015
10m
Chester Plays 6.1: Nativity
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are taken apart with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. This post covers the start of play 6, The Nativity, where Octavius Caesar consults the Sybil about the coming of Jesus.
9m Mar 31, 2015
9m
Selected Banns for the Chester Cycle
This is a live recording from a selection of mystery plays compiled in 2007 for a show called Medieval Mysteries - focusing on the Nativity. The opening of the show used relevant sections of the Chester Banns - Banns used to announce the coming mystery pageants before the reformation. Audio quality is very poor - it was recorded with a mini-disc player using headphones as a microphone. It's a m...
2m Mar 30, 2015
2m
The Rickinghall Fragment
A fragment of a lost play. The Rickinghall Fragment is of a tyrant King, possibly a Herod, speaking to his lords. The King is played by Malcolm Hollister. #freeaudio #lostplays #medievaltheatre
19s Jan 12, 2015
19s
Chester Plays 4.3: Abraham
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are taken apart with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. This post covers the middle section of play 4, where Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac.
9m Jan 06, 2015
9m
Chester Plays 4.2: Abraham
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are taken apart with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. This post covers the middle section of play 4, where Abraham asks God for a legitimate child and where God asks him to then kill that child - Isaac.
10m Jan 06, 2015
10m
Chester Plays 4.1: Abraham
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are taken apart with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. This post covers play 4, where Abraham and Lot get busy with some gift giving.
10m Jan 06, 2015
10m
Chester Plays 5.3: Balaam and Balak
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are taken apart with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. This post covers the end of play 5, where Balaam tells King Balak how to get the Israelites to curse themselves - next post will cover play 6 - the Nativity.
7m Jan 05, 2015
7m
Chester Plays 5.2: Balaam and Balak
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are taken apart with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. This post covers play 5, with the main body of the play where Balaam and his ass are stopped on the road and where he refuses to curse the Israelites - the play concludes i...
10m Jan 05, 2015
10m
Chester Plays 5.1: Balaam and Balak
Exploring the Chester Mystery Plays is a series of live streamed events where the Chester plays are taken apart with readers and commentary. Rough round the edges, edited versions of these events are now being posted online. This post covers the opening of play 5, with an opening featuring God, Moses and followed by a speech by Balak - the story continues in the next post…
10m Jan 04, 2015
10m
Astrophil and Stella - 108
Sonnet 108 from Astrophil and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney
1m Dec 01, 2014
1m
Astrophil and Stella - 107
Sonnet 107 from Astrophil and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney
1m Dec 01, 2014
1m
Astrophil and Stella - 106
Sonnet 106 from Astrophil and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney 
1m Dec 01, 2014
1m
Astrophil and Stella - 105
Sonnet 105 from Astrophil and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney
1m Dec 01, 2014
1m
Astrophil and Stella - Song 11
Song 11 from Astrophil and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney
2m Dec 01, 2014
2m
Astrophil and Stella - 104
Sonnet 104 from Astrophil and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney
1m Dec 01, 2014
1m
Astrophil and Stella - 103
Sonnet 103 from Astrophil and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney
1m Dec 01, 2014
1m
Astrophil and Stella - 102
Sonnet 102 from Astrophil and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney
1m Dec 01, 2014
1m
Astrophil and Stella - 101
Sonnet 101 from Astrophil and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney
1m Dec 01, 2014
1m
Astrophil and Stella - 100
Sonnet 100 from Astrophil and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney
1m Dec 01, 2014
1m
Astrophil and Stella - 99
Sonnet 99 from Astrophil and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney
1m Dec 01, 2014
1m