[Five Anonymous Plays] - John S Farmer
Another in the series of anonymous plays from the sixteenth century edited by John S Farmer. These five take us into the 1570’s, however some of them have now been credited to certain playwrights. There is a mixed bag here and nothing really that would warrant attention from prospective producers for theatre events today. So no hidden gems.

Appius and Virginia
This was probably performed about 1563, but not printed until 1575 and although short in running time it provided the best entertainment for me. Set in Roman times it is the story of Virginia who would rather die than lose her virginity to a man who was not approved by her parents.

“The rather, dear father, if it be thy pleasure
Grant me my death; then keep I my treasure”

Judge Appius has the hots for Virginia and he is spurred on by Haphazard an evil devil like character, who reminds him that as ruler he can do as he wishes. Appius concocts a charge against Virginius (Virginias father) and instructs him to submit his daughter as punishment. Virginia asks her father to kill her rather than submit and so he cuts off her head and takes it wrapped in cloth to Appius. Appius is enraged and orders Virginius to be executed, but two characters Justice and Reward turn the tables and Virginius arrests judge Appius and hangs Haphazard.
This is a play that has not quite broken from the morality plays of medieval times; allegorical figures of Justice, Conscience, Fame and Reward appear to shape events, but there are plenty of good speeches from the human characters who dominate the action. The play is full of word play and the devil like character of Haphazard has the best lines.
A Tragi-comedy which I enjoyed.

A New and Pleasant Interlude - The Marriage of Wit and Science
Written by Ulpian Fulwell probably in 1567.A morality play - allegorical as the young Wit seeks to marry Science but he must fight Tediousness and get Study and Diligence on his side. He refuses to spend 4 years with them, but wants to marry Science at once. It is mostly debate and dialogue, but there is a fight with Tediousness followed by a song for the Vanquished Wit.

GRIM THE COLLIER OF CROYDON or the Devil and his dame; with the devil and Saint Dunstan
The devil Belphagor comes to live on Earth for a time, to investigate reports that women have grown extreme in their misbehaviors and have made marriage a curse. He disguises himself as a Spanish doctor named Castiliano. He offers to cure a mute woman named Honoria if she will marry him in return — a proposal that is accepted by the young woman and her family. Once he cures her, however, she repudiates her marital promise, calling him a "base Spaniard" who she wouldn't allow her slave to marry. All the English seem to turn on him: he is bed-tricked into marrying Honoria's shrewish maid, who cheats on him; one of the maid's former suitors tries to kill him; and his wife eventually poisons him. Castiliano dies just as Belphagor's predetermined time on Earth expires, and the devil returns to Hell with great relief at escaping the toils of earthly existence and its ferocious females. (The play's depiction of its devil is surprisingly restrained; he is described as "patient, mild, and pitiful," and is rather a sympathetic character than otherwise. Its infernal domain, ruled by Pluto, is a mixture of Christian and classical elements.)
In the play's subplot, Grim the collier is a simple and good-hearted soul who is devoted to his love, Joan of Badenstock. After complications with Clack the Miller and Parson Shorthose, Grim wins her in the end, with the help of Puck or Robin Goodfellow (alias Akercock; in this play, a devil like Belphagor). This is a play from the mid 17th century, but is based on one from the late 16th century. It is written largely in blank verse and the ample stage directions signify it is a play from a different century than the others included here.

Common Conditions
This one really is anonymous, which is no surprise because it is a bit of a mess. it reads like it was written by several different people, which was probably the case. The convoluted plot involves…………… well just too convoluted. It does not help that the beginning and end is missing. Written in rhyming couplets it is an adventure story of sorts involving pirates, chance meetings, disguises, kidnapping and general confusion. More pantomime than anything else and dating from 1576.

Interlude of a Contract of Marriage between Wit and Wisdom
The final piece was probably written between 1571-6 by Francis Maybury, who was a Puritan Preacher. A morality play; it is well written with a rhyming scheme that transcends some of the dialogue. There are some good lines and it is witty, with language that can get quite bawdy. There are fights and there are songs, no long speeches and it is all over fairly quickly. It was probably good entertainment.

These plays and interludes were collected for publication in the Early English Dramatists series in 1908. Spelling has been modernised and their are copious notes at the back of the book which help with the language and also tells of the difficulties of locating the original texts: the edition that is free on the internet is from 1966. You would need to have an interest in early English drama to read these from cover to cover, but they are not difficult and provide a snapshot of drama from the 1570’s. 3 stars ( )