A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13

This volume brings together a lively selection of early‑modern English drama, freshly arranged in chronological order and enriched with centuries‑old commentary. Listeners will hear the rhythm of seventeenth‑century stagecraft, from the punchy verse to the bustling crowd noises that once filled London’s playhouses. The careful editing preserves the original wit while offering helpful notes that illuminate obscure references for today’s ears.

Among the pieces, “A Match at Midnight” opens with a bustling household of merchants, usurers, and roguish servants preparing for a night of intrigue. Sir Marmaduke and his scheming kin mingle with a sharp‑tongued widow, a bumbling smith, and a mischievous clown, each trading barbs and bargaining over money, marriage, and reputation. The comedy springs from their tangled motives and rapid‑fire dialogue, promising a night of farcical misunderstandings that capture the restless energy of London’s streets.

Listeners will be drawn into the clever wordplay and vivid characters, experiencing a snapshot of early modern life where ambition, love, and humor collide in a single, unforgettable midnight encounter.