A Jovial Crew; or the Merry Beggars; is a comedy about four noble lovers who join the beggar community for a pastoral life of dance and song. Or is it? Whilst maintaining its unremitting good humour; A Jovial Crew shows that the literary depiction of beggar life; and real beggar life; are profoundly different. Daily aspects of life in the beggar world ndash; poverty; dirt; licentiousness ndash; come as a surprise to the well-born; who are ultimately led to question their own values.The last production mounted before theatres were closed for the English Civil War; A Jovial Crews exploration of class; commonwealth; kinship and kingship shows an intense engagement with contemporary politics. This edition; with dedicated sections on music and language in the play; argues that A Jovial Crew also offers a nostalgic farewell to English theatre. It explores Bromes attitude to performance and print; and follows A Jovial Crew from its first; Caroline staging; to its later manifestations as a Restoration comedy; an eighteenth-century opera; and a twentieth-century proto-Marxist tragicomedy.
#3911063 in eBooks 2014-05-14 2014-05-14File Name: B00KO09T4E
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This is a great gift for the classical music lover in your lifeBy MichelleThis is a great gift for the classical music lover in your life. Classical music is so unique and has such interesting etiquette and traditions around it. Robs take on de-mystifying and sharing this knowledge that curious listeners who have not studied music rigorously may find fascinating. His voice; style and humor are hallmarks of the tone he sets as an arts educator and leader along with his trademark listening. He clearly has fielded many questions over the years and the style of writing is educational and clear; but not too heavy with technical classical music jargon or with a tone that expects that you should innately know these things. If youve wondered why the players; singers; and musicians do what they do on the stage this may be an excellent read for you.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This answers questions you didnt think to ask but are fascinatingBy J. RenfrowThere are so many questions with respect to orchestras; classical music; composers; etc. that you either unconsciously wondered about or never thought to think about and this book is marvelous at addressing these issues. It really rounds out your understanding of the music environment works.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Essential readingBy N. S. LinderI have been attending concerts and collecting classical recordings for decades; yet I learned a great deal from this well researched and well written book. Thanks.
