The Life and Death of Jack Straw

The Life and Death of Jack Straw is a late 16th-century play, possibly written by playwright George Peele.

The play takes the story of Jack Straw, a rebel leader in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. The play was possibly written by George Peele and probably originally designed for production in one of London's guild pageants.[1] The play portrays Jack Straw as a tragic figure, being led into wrongful rebellion by the priest John Ball, drawing clear allegorical links between the instability of late-Elizabethan England and the politics of the 14th century.[2] It is one of the earliest political plays of its type in England.[3]

The play was initially printed in 1593 by John Danter for William Barley,[4] and the copyright was subsequently transferred to Thomas Pavier, who printed a new edition in 1604.[5] There is no record of performance from the early modern period contained in either edition.[4][5]

Performances in the modern era are rare. The only recorded performance was mounted by Bad Quarto Productions in November 2016 in New York City[6]

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References

  1. ↑ Ribner 2005, pp. 71–72
  2. ↑ Ribner 2005, pp. 71–74
  3. ↑ Ribner 2005, p. 74
  4. 1 2 anonymous (1593). The Life and Death of Iacke Straw, A notable Rebell in England Who was kild in Smithfield by the Lord Maior of London. STC (2nd ed.), 23356. London.
  5. 1 2 anonymous (1604). The Life and death of Iacke Straw, A notable Rebell in England Who was killed in Smithfield by the Lord Mayor of London. STC (2nd ed.), 23357. London.
  6. ↑ Miller, Howard. ""The Life and Death of Jack Straw"". Talkin Broadway. Talkin Broadway. Retrieved 27 December 2016.

Bibliography

  • Ribner, Irving (2005). The English History Play in the Age of Shakespeare. Abingdon, UK: Routledge. ISBN 9780415353144.
  • anonymous (1593). The Life and Death of Iacke Straw, A notable Rebell in England Who was kild in Smithfield by the Lord Maior of London. STC (2nd ed.), 23356. London.
  • anonymous (1604). The Life and death of Iacke Straw, A notable Rebell in England Who was killed in Smithfield by the Lord Mayor of London. STC (2nd ed.), 23357. London.
  • Miller, Howard. ""The Life and Death of Jack Straw"". Talkin Broadway. Talkin Broadway. Retrieved 27 December 2016.


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