Satiro-Mastix; or, the Vntrussing of the Humorous Poet

This recording brings to life a lively early‑17th‑century satire that skewers the literary fashions of its day. The play follows a flamboyant poet whose pretensions are humorously unpicked by a chorus of rival voices, reflecting the heated “stage quarrel” that once divided England’s playwrights. Dekker’s sharp wit and vivid characters provide a window onto the rivalry between Ben Jonson and his peers, while the dialogue crackles with the energy of the original Elizabethan theatre.

Accompanying the performance is a concise scholarly introduction that sets the dispute in its historical context and explains the key references that can otherwise bewilder modern ears. Detailed notes identify allusions to contemporary works, map the tangled network of authors involved, and clarify the language of the period. Listeners will find the edition both informative and accessible, making the complex literary feud easy to follow without spoiling the play’s later twists.