Kemps Nine Daies Wonder: Performed in a Daunce from London to Norwich

A celebrated comic performer of the Elizabethan stage set out on an extraordinary stunt in 1599, marching the length of England while dancing a Morris jig from London to Norwich. The pamphlet records his daily progress, the crowds that cheered him, and the lively banter he exchanged with passers‑by, offering a vivid snapshot of street entertainment at the turn of the century. It also serves as Kemp’s own rebuttal to the exaggerated ballads that soon tried to mythologise his feat.

The accompanying introduction places the dancer within the world of Shakespeare’s company, noting his memorable roles as Peter, Dogberry and other beloved clowns. Helpful notes decode the period spelling, punctuation and obscure references, letting modern ears follow the humor and bravado of the original text. Listeners gain a colourful glimpse of theatrical life, civic rivalry, and the sheer spectacle of a nine‑day, mile‑long dance that captured the imagination of a nation.