Author: Steven Rowley

The Changeling is a sensational 1622 tragicomedy by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley that comprises two intertwining plots. The first involves Beatrice-Joanna, daughter of the governor of Alicante, and her unruly passion for Alsemero, despite the fact that she is engaged to Alonzo de Piracquo. She enlists the aid of her father's servant De Flores to kill Alonzo so that she can marry Alsemero. However, she does not anticipate that De Flores, who is in love with her, will demand payment for the deed. The second plot is set in a madhouse, where the jealous old doctor Alibius is keeping his beautiful young wife Isabella confined so that she will not be unfaithful to him. Despite his best efforts, she is assailed by illicit suitors on all sides: Franciscus, who disguises himself as a madman, Antonio, who disguises himself as a fool, and Lollio, his lustful servant. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)<br/><br/><strong>Cast</strong><br>Alsemero: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/1492">mb</a><br>Jasperino: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7315">Charlotte Duckett</a><br>First Servant/Servant/First Madman: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/4174">Availle</a><br>Pedro/Franciscus/Vermandero: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7170">Alan Mapstone</a><br>Beatrice-Joanna/Lollio: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/1259">Elizabeth Klett</a><br>DeFlores: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/2624">David Nicol</a><br>Diaphanta: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7788">Meredith Clement</a><br>Alibius: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/4705">Algy Pug</a><br>Alonzo de Piracquo: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7079">Chuck Williamson</a><br>Antonio: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7448">Kevin Johnson</a><br>Isabella: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7138">Caprisha Page</a><br>Tomazo de Piracquo: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/6754">Todd</a><br>Narrator: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/3536">Arielle Lipshaw</a><br><br><strong>Audio edited by Elizabeth Klett</strong>

2Witch of Edmonton

By Thomas Dekker, John Ford and William Rowley

Mother Elizabeth Sawyer is a poor, lonely, and unfairly ostracized old woman with nothing left to lose. Frank is a poor farmer who intends to marry his beloved Winnifred, who is pregnant with his child, but is pressured to marry Susan, the rich yeoman's daughter. Young Cuddy Banks is a clown who pines after a girl who doesn't love him. When Mother Sawyer turns to witchcraft after being unjustly accused of it, a talking devil-dog named Tom (performed by a human actor) comes to her aid, becoming her familiar and only friend. Though she intends to get her revenge, little does she know many of those around her are only too willing to sell their souls to the devil all by themselves. The play was inspired by the real-life story of Elizabeth Sawyer, who had been executed for witchcraft on 19 April 1621, and draws heavily on a pamphlet by Henry Goodcole, The wonderful discoverie of Elizabeth Sawyer, Witch (1621). While the pamphlet may be very ready to capitalize on the sensational story of a witch and portray Sawyer as simply a bad woman, the play does not permit an easy and comfortable demonization of her. It presents her as a product of society rather than an anomaly in it. - Summary by Mary Kay <br><br> <b>Cast</b><br />Narrator: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8883" rel="nofollow">LydiaCW</a><br />Mother Elizabeth Sawyer: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6281" rel="nofollow">Elizabby</a><br />Anne: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/ 9872" rel="nofollow">Newgatenovelist</a><br />Susan: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10179" rel="nofollow">Kitty</a><br />Katherine: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6548" rel="nofollow">Kristingj</a><br />Winnifred: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/1259" rel="nofollow">gloriana</a><br />Sir Arthur Clarington: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/9905" rel="nofollow">Hamlet</a><br />Old Thorney / Hamluc: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8799" rel="nofollow">unreadpages</a><br />Carter: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6754" rel="nofollow">ToddHW</a><br />Warbeck: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10396" rel="nofollow">jburlinson</a><br />Somerton: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10542" rel="nofollow">Salvationist</a><br />Frank Thorney: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/2624" rel="nofollow">Dave in the Fax</a><br />Old Banks: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7170" rel="nofollow">alanmapstone</a><br />Cuddy Banks: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10528" rel="nofollow">BlueFunk</a><br />Dog, aka Tom: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8164" rel="nofollow">RobBoard</a><br />Ratcliffe: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10459" rel="nofollow">McFarlane</a><br />Justice / Constable: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6065" rel="nofollow">dlolso21</a><br />First Clown / First Countryman: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/9755" rel="nofollow">Khaghbboommm</a><br />Second Clown / Second Countryman: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7315" rel="nofollow">catrose</a><br />Third Clown / Third Countryman: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10614" rel="nofollow">leanneyauyau</a><br />Fourth Clown / Sawgut: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/9905" rel="nofollow">Hamlet</a><br /><b>Edited by:</b> <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/5796" rel="nofollow">carteki</a> and <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/5796" rel="nofollow">linny</a>

Merlin. King Arthur. War betwixt British and Saxons. Uther Pendragon. Collapsing castle foundations, Magicians and spirits, and fighting dragons and a blazing comet. Good entertaining stuff. But is it Shakespeare? The 1662 first printed edition of this play says it was written by William Shakespeare and William Rowley. It doesn't appear that anyone any longer believes that Shakespeare was actually involved, and probably this is entirely Rowley - who co-authored plays with a fair number of other authors of the period. Rowley also acted in London troupes, including Shakespeare's The King's Players, often in low comedy Clown parts he wrote for himself such as is found in this play. - Summary by ToddHW <BR><BR>Cast list:<BR> Aurelius, King of Brittain: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11484">Mike Manolakes</a><br> Vortiger, King of (Welsh) Brittain: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11305">Craig Franklin</a><br> Uter Pendragon, the Prince, Brother to Aurelius: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/14806">JBerkhouse</a><br> Donobert, a Nobleman, and Father to Constantia and Modesta: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/14768">VocalPenguin</a><br> The Earl of Gloster, and Father to Edwyn: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/4705">Algy Pug</a><br> Edoll, Earl of Chester and General to King Aurelius: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/9905">Hamlet</a><br> Cador, Earl of Cornwal, and Suitor to Constantia: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/14756">Quin Herron</a><br> Edwyn, Son to the Earl of Gloster, and Suitor to Modesta: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10789">Tomas Peter</a><br> Toclio, Nobleman: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13577">Adrian Stephens</a><br> Oswald, Nobleman: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/14540">Andrew Gaunce</a><br> Merlin the Prophet: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7170">Alan Mapstone</a><br> Anselme the Hermit, after Bishop of Winchester: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10801">Jim Locke</a><br> Clown: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6754">ToddHW</a><br> Sir Nichodemus Nothing, a Courtier: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8011">Greg Giordano</a><br> The Devil, father of Merlin: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8576">Phil Schempf</a><br> Ostorius, the Saxon General: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15688">CassiopeiaSparks</a><br> Octa, a Saxon Nobleman: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15193">Tchaikovsky</a><br> Proximus, a Saxon Magician: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/14872">Scott McKinley</a><br> Bishop: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15449">Derek Trial</a><br> Saxon Lord 1: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13638">Grace Buchanan</a><br> Saxon Lord 2: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7170">Alan Mapstone</a><br> Edols Captain : <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15449">Derek Trial</a><br> Gentleman 1: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12980">Wayne Cooke</a><br> Gentleman 2: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13738">Seaquill</a><br> A little Antick Spirit: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11084">Devorah Allen</a><br> Artesia, Sister to Ostorius the Saxon General: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13140">Jenn Broda</a><br> Constantia, daughter to Donobert: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8883">Lydia</a><br> Modesta, daughter to Donobert: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11772">Linda Olsen Fitak</a><br> Jone Goe-too't, Mother of Merlin: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10179">Sonia</a><br> A Waiting-woman to Artesia: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15580">Joanna Michal Hoyt</a><br> Lucina, Queen of the Shades: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/4174">Availle</a><br> Armel: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10087">Sandra Schmit</a><br> Plesgeth: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13638">Grace Buchanan</a><br> Messenger: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13638">Grace Buchanan</a><br> Stage Directions: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10542">David Purdy</a><br> Editing: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6754">ToddHW</a><br>