Nicholas Udall was an English dramatist and scholar, celebrated as the author of the earliest known comedy in the English language. His work is marked by witty observations of human nature and a masterful command of dramatic language. Udall's influence on the development of English comedy is immense, and his plays remain valued for their intellectual depth and comedic power. His writing often explores themes of ambition, folly, and social expectation with remarkable acuity.
Nicholas Udall was one of the most important playwrights of the Tudor era, and his work continues to be studied and performed today. This volume brings together his most famous play, Ralph Roister Doister, along with a note on his lost plays, and a notebook and word-list that shed light on his creative process. It is an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of English drama.
Manchester in the 1960s. A world dominated by men. Yet Connie Campbell has defied convention; a leading figure in the city's financial community. Proud of her working class roots she still lives in Ardwick. Condemned for demolition, Connie fights to protect the neighbourhood she loves. But can she overcome the arrogance of the planners and the corruption of local business and political elites? And as the struggle unfolds, will Connie's own search for love end in anything other than betrayal and disappointment? Will the ultimate price of her professional success, be the denial of her personal happiness? Connie's story is Manchester's too. A time when social and political change is transforming the city and its people. Whilst bringing the promise of opportunity and freedom for many, will it destroy the traditional values of the city's proud, working class communities?
This book is a critical edition of the first English play to be written in the modern sense of the word 'comedy.' Written by Nicholas Udall in the 16th century, Ralph Roister Doister is a rollicking tale of love and deception set in Tudor London. This edition includes a modernized text, along with historical and literary commentary that illuminates the cultural and theatrical context of the play.