As a scholar of the old English Literature (well, I was once) and someone who’s fascinated by the history of the theatre, it sounds like this next show should be dynamite. It’s DROLL at Space 1 @ theSpace on the Mile, at 22:05 on Monday 21st. Here’s the blurb: “In 1642, theatre was made illegal. Theatre didn’t die. The award-winning Owle Schreame theatre company present a chaotic and semi-improvised selection of rough, wild, raucous and bawdy, short (illegal) plays from the 16th and 17th centuries. Unperformed for almost 400 years, Drolls were the farcical, chaotic mini-productions held in secret during the outlawing of the theatres, usually finishing with the cast getting dragged to jail. Every performance is unique. Described as innovative, interactive and genuinely engaging, ‘this rare oddity of a production is bacchanalia, call-the-police, drunken theatre: not to be missed. Don’t’ ***** (Guardian).”
I’m hoping for some bawdy fun but also for something that will make this a unique entertainment – not sure what that might be! It’s spelt with capital letters online, so I’ve kept with that formation, but I have no idea if it’s necessary! Check back around 11.15pm to see whether it ticked all the boxes. By then the next preview blog should be available to read too.
That was absolutely fascinating. The humour of John Swabber, a tale of ridicule and adultery performed with gusto and the first time these pieces have been performed since the 17th century. Remarkable on many levels, and it makes you want to find out more about the drolls. Go see!