Author: Thomas C. Middleton

The Roaring Girl is a rip-roaring Jacobean comedy co-written by Thomas Middleton and Thomas Dekker and first published in 1611. The play is a fictionalized dramatization of the life of Mary Frith, known as "Moll Cutpurse", a woman who had gained a reputation as a virago in the early 17th century. (The term "roaring girl" was adapted from the slang term "roaring boy", which was applied to a young man who caroused publicly, brawled, and committed petty crimes.) The play combines the exploits of the cross-dressed Moll with the amorous adventures of a trio of merchants' wives, and the forbidden romance between Sebastian Wengrave and Mary Fitzallard. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett and Wikipedia)<br /><br /> <strong>Cast</strong><br /> Sir Alexander Wengrave: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=4705">Algy Pug</a><br /> Sebastian Wengrave: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=6930">Nolan Fout</a><br /> Mary Fitzallard: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=6544">Amanda Friday</a><br /> Sir Davy Dapper/Sir Beauteous Ganymede/Fellow/Tailor/Coachman: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=4267">Ric F</a><br /> Sir Adam Appleton/Sir Thomas Long: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=2911">David Lawrence</a><br /> Goshawk: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=6882">David Isenhower</a><br /> Laxton/Second Cutpurse: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=7079">Chuck Williamson</a><br /> Greenwit/Sergeant Curtilax: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=3242">peac</a><br /> Ralph Trapdoor: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=2624">David Nicol</a><br /> Mistress Openwork: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=6548">Kristingj</a><br /> Mistress Gallipot: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=3536">Arielle Lipshaw</a><br /> Jack Dapper: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=7165">LucentBirch</a><br /> Gull/First Cutpurse: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=6689">Tiffany Halla Colonna</a><br /> Mistress Tiltyard: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=3615">Lucy Perry</a><br /> Master Openwork: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=1492">mb</a><br /> Moll/Neatfoot/Yeoman Hanger: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=1295">Elizabeth Klett</a><br /> Master Tiltyard/Lord Noland: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=3157">Tricia G</a><br /> Master Gallipot/Sir Guy Fitzallard: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=4738">Leonard Wilson</a><br /> Narrator/Tearcat: <a href="https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=6754">Todd</a><br /><br /> <strong>Audio edited by:</strong> Elizabeth Klett

Thomas Middleton's masterful 17th century tragedy is packed with adultery, incest, intrigue, revenge, and inventive methods for murder. Leantio elopes with Bianca against her family's wishes and tries to hide her in the house he shares with his widowed mother. Yet the Duke sees Bianca at the window and is powerfully attracted to her, threatening Leantio's security. Livia, a wealthy widow, delights in intrigue, aiding the Duke to satisfy his desires with Bianca, and bringing together her brother Hippolito with her niece Isabella, despite their familial relationship. Yet even Livia is not immune to love. The final play-within-a-play in Act 5, one of the goriest and most sensational conclusions to a Jacobean tragedy, is also (like the play as a whole) laced with dark humor. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)<br><br><strong>Cast</strong><br>Mother: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/6548">Kristingj</a><br>Leantio: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/2624">David Nicol</a><br>Bianca: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/3536">Arielle Lipshaw</a><br>Guardiano: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/6965">Noel Badrian</a><br>Fabritio: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/3595">Martin Geeson</a><br>Livia: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/1259">Elizabeth Klett</a><br>Hippolito: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7170">Alan Mapstone</a><br>Isabella: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/6544">Amanda Friday</a><br>The Ward: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7122">Nathaniel W. C. Higgins</a><br>Sordido: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/1492">mb</a><br>First Boy/First Lady/Hebe: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7171">April Gonzales</a><br>Second Boy/Second Lady/Narrator: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/1259">Elizabeth Klett</a><br>Third Boy/Gentleman/Page/Lord: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7247">Robert Hoffman</a><br>Citizen/Servant/Hymen: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7079">Chuck Williamson</a><br>Apprentice/Messenger/Ganymede: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/4174">Availle</a><br>Duke: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/4705">Algy Pug</a><br>Lord Cardinal: <a href="http://librivox.org/reader/7079">Chuck Williamson</a><br><br><strong>Audio edited by Elizabeth Klett</strong>

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>

"When the bad bleeds, then is the tragedy good." The Revenger's Tragedy is a bloody Jacobean drama centering on Vindici, whose beloved has been murdered by the Duke. Aided by his brother Hippolito, Vindici plans to take revenge not only on the Duke, but on his lecherous Duchess (who is having an affair with her stepson, Spurio) and his sons Lussurioso (Lust), Ambitioso (Ambition), and Supervacuo (Excess). The play was published anonymously in 1606 and for several centuries was attributed to Cyril Tourneur; more recent scholarship has pointed to Thomas Middleton as the likely author. The play was part of the vogue for revenge tragedy in late 16th and early 17th century England, and has often been compared to Hamlet. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)<br><br><strong>Cast</strong><br>Vindici/Second Servant/Nencio/First Officer: <a href="librivox.org/reader/1259">Elizabeth Klett</a><br>Hippolito: <a href="librivox.org/reader/1492">mb</a><br>Gratiana: <a href="librivox.org/reader/7679">Libby Gohn</a><br>Castiza: <a href="librivox.org/reader/6544">Amanda Friday</a><br>Duke: <a href="librivox.org/reader/3912">Bob Neustar</a><br>First Judge/First Gentleman: <a href="librivox.org/reader/8459">Sean Daeley</a><br>Duchess: <a href="librivox.org/reader/3536">Arielle Lipshaw</a><br>Lussurioso: <a href="librivox.org/reader/2624">David Nicol</a><br>Ambitioso: <a href="librivox.org/reader/7848">bala</a><br>Spurio/Antonio: <a href="librivox.org/reader/7170">Alan Mapstone</a><br>Junior/Sordido/Piero/Dondolo/Fourth Man: <a href="librivox.org/reader/8425">Larry Wilson</a><br>Supervacuo: <a href="librivox.org/reader/7315">Charlotte Duckett</a><br>First Servant/Keeper: <a href="librivox.org/reader/7608">rookieblue</a><br>First Noble/Second Officer/First Lord: <a href="librivox.org/reader/7654">Todd</a><br>Second Judge/Second Noble: <a href="librivox.org/reader/7079">Chuck Williamson</a><br>Narrator: <a href="librivox.org/reader/6548">Kristingj</a><br><br><strong>Audio edited by Elizabeth Klett</strong>

<b>A Yorkshire Tragedy: Not So New as Lamentable and True (1619)</b> tells the gruesome tale of Walter Calverly who stabbed his wife and killed his two young sons in April 1605. This recording is based on the text of the second quarto, which was attributed to William Shakespeare on its title page. <br /><br />This transcription is based on the 1619 quarto at the Boston Public Library. Students completed the transcription in the fall of 2013 for English 422 (Seminar on Renaissance Drama: Gender and Print) taught by Professor Tara Lyons at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. <BR><BR><b>Cast list:</b><BR> Narrator: Michaela Cook<BR> Raphe: Jen Dempsey<BR> Oliver: Kaitlyn Kirk<BR> Sam: Samantha Brescia<BR> Wife: Stephanie Cunha<BR> Husband: King Indeed<BR> Gentleman 1: Melanie Lavoie<BR> Gentleman 2: Erik Isaacson<BR> Gentleman 3: Megan Gregoire<BR> Servant: Emily Heroux<BR> Master: Kelsey Wilbur<BR> Son: Emma Cornila<BR> Lusty Servant: Nichole T. Colleton<BR> Maid: Sherrie Sousa<BR> Knight: Melissa Jordan

This is a collection of 32 highly diverting essays of English author Richard Middleton. Although Middleton is now best remembered for his ghost stories, he was also an accomplished poet and essayist. The musings collected in this volume cover a variety of topics, including poetry, art, and politics. - Summary by Carolin

The Family of Love is an early Jacobean city comedy, first published in 1608. Published anonymously, the play was long attributed to Thomas Middleton and Thomas Dekker, although more recent scholarship suggests that Lording Barry may be the sole author. The play satirises the supposed sexual lasciviousness of the Familia Caritatis or "Family of Love," the religious sect founded by Henry Nicholis in the 16th century. <br /><br /> Maria is in love with Gerardine but her uncle, Glister the physician, opposes the match. Gerardine pretends to depart for a long ocean voyage, leaving a trunk containing his earthly possessions to Maria, but when Maria opens the trunk she finds Gerardine inside. Meanwhile, Glister cheats on his wife with the Familist wife of Purge the apothecary. Two dim-witted gallants, Gudgeon and Lipsalve, try to bed every woman they meet and want nothing more than to gain access to the secretive Familist Meeting House, which rumor has it is a bastion of free-love. With the help of Dryfat the merchant and Club the apprentice, Gerardine stages a mock trial with the intention of teaching everyone a lesson. - Summary by Wikipedia and Rob Board. <br /><br /> <b>Cast</b> Narrator: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/2911">David Lawrence</a><br /> Gerardine: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10789">Tomas Peter</a><br /> Maria: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8677">Khand</a><br /> Glister: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/9905">Hamlet</a><br /> Mistress Glister: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10179">Sonia</a><br /> Mistress Purge: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10614">Leanne Yau</a><br /> Purge: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7170">alanmapstone</a><br /> Lipsalve: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8164">Rob Board</a><br /> Gudgeon: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/9809">Andrew Utley</a><br /> Dryfat: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8799">Peter Tucker</a><br /> Club: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6754">ToddHW</a><br /> Shrimp: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10458">ScarlettG</a><br /> Periwinkle: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/9810">Stoofy</a><br /> Vial: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11535">Nemo</a><br /> Within: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10087">Sandra Schmit</a><br /> <b>Edited by: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8164">Rob Board</a></b>

This is a volume of poetry by English poet Richard Middleton. While hardly known to readers anymore today, Middleton's poems, stories, and essays were all very highly regarded during his lifetime and after his untimely death, having won the admiration of many of his contemporary critics and writers whose fame endured longer than that of Middleton himself. A look into this volume of poetry should convince the reader or listener that Middleton's poetry certainly deserves much more attention than is currently given it. - Summary by Carolin

This is a volume of short stories and essays by Richard Middleton. The British poet and author wrote a large number of short pieces during his life, which are today still as entertaining as they were then. Published 1912, one year after Middleton's death, this volume collects some of the best specimens of his prose. - Summary by Carolin

Richard Middleton is one of the many authors who, despite great merit, have been almost entirely forgotten today. This English author was an eminent literary figure in his day, admired by, among others, Edgar Jepson, Arthur Machen, and Raymond Chandler. This collection of short stories contains his best-known short story, The Ghost Ship, a skillfully written horror story. The other stories contained in this collection are not all horror stories, but cover a variety of genres and topics. - Summary by Carolin

11Legends of Longdendale

By Thomas Middleton

Legend meets lore at Longdendale, the "long wooded valley" of fabled Cheshire. Thomas Middleton - a dramatist, politician, antiquarian, lecturer, writer, Sunday School teacher and local historian - has preserved for us a collection of wild and perhaps improbable folk tales of chieftains, kings, chivalrous knights, foul villains and fearsome beasts all connected over time in the Longdendale tradition. - Summary by Brian Fullen