English Drama Before Shakespeare

In English Drama before Shakespeare, Peter Happe surveys the range of dramatic activity in English covering the medieval period up to 1590. The book shows that there was much continuity throughout in spite of many innovations: this is in part a challenge to the traditional divisions between medieval and Renaissance literature. Many of the plays considered are anonymous, but there is a coherent, biographical view of the work of known dramatists such as John Heywood, John Bale, and Christopher Marlowe. Considerable attention is also paid to the liturgical drama, royal entries and localised or parish drama, as well as to mystery cycles and the interludes, comedy and tragedy. The study takes account of contemporary research interests into dramatic form, performance, including some important recent revivals, dramatic sites and early theatre buildings.