John Ford was an English playwright and poet of the Jacobean and Caroline eras born in Ilsington in Devon. He was a major playwright during the reign of Charles I. His plays deal with conflicts between individual passion and conscience and the laws and morals of society at large; Ford had a strong interest in abnormal psychology that is expressed through his dramas. His plays often show the influence of Robert Burton's "The Anatomy of Melancholy." While virtually nothing is known of Ford's personal life, one reference suggests that Ford's interest in melancholia may have been more than merely intellectual. The volume Choice Drollery (1656) asserts that
Deep in a dump alone John Ford was gat,
With folded arms and melancholy hat.
'Tis Pity She's a Whore | Dramatic
Running Time:2:42:19 in 1 MP3 Audio CD
One of the most shocking plays produced in England during the reign of Charles I, 'Tis Pity She's A Whore chronicles the disastrous results of an incestuous affair between fatalistic Italian siblings, Giovanni and Annabella. As suitors vie for Annabella's hand, various webs of deception and revenge intertwine, culminating in a bloody finale.
CAST LIST
Bonaventura, a Friar/ Bergetto, Nephew to Donado: alanmapstone
A Cardinal, Nuncio to the Pope AND Banditti: Algy Pug
Soranzo, a Nobleman: Tovarisch
Florio, Citizen of Parma: Bob Neufeld
Donado, Citizen of Parma: Arnie Horton
Grimaldi, a Roman Gentleman: Ric F
Giovanni, Son to Florio: Chuck Williamson
Richardetto, a supposed Physician: Denny Sayers
Vasques, Servant to Soranzo: Chris Marcellus
Poggio, Servant to Bergetto: Lauren Burwell
Annabella, Daughter to Florio: Elizabeth Barr
Hippolita, Wife to Richardetto: Elizabeth Klett
Philotis, his Niece: Charlotte Duckett
Putana, Tutoress to Annabella: Amanda Friday
Officer(s): Libby Gohn
Servant: CaprishaPage
Narrator: Kristin GJ
The Broken Heart | Dramatic
Running Time:02:39:46 in 1 MP3 Audio CD
The Broken Heart stands next to ‘Tis Pity She's a Whore as Ford's most popular drama. All is not right in Sparta because of, as is typical in this era of tragedies, the issue of marriage. In brief, Penthea wishes to marry Orgilus, but her brother Ithocles gets involved and bans them from doing so. He forces her to marry Bassanes, an abusive brute who happens to be wealthier than Orgilus. Ithocles then realises what he's done wrong and tries to get his friend Prophilus to marry Orgilus's sister Euphrania. Ithocles himself wants to marry the princess of Sparta, Calantha, who chooses him over her current betrothed, her cousin Nearchus. Thus begins a shocking cycle of revenge and recrimination... with predictably grisly consequences.
Cast list:
Amyclas, King of Laconis: David P R
Ithocles, a Favourite: Stuart Partin
Orgilus, Son of Crotolon: Tomas Peter
Bassanes, a jealous Nobleman: Hamlet
Armostes, a Counsellor of the State: Mike Harris
Crotolon, another Counsellor: Khaghbboommm
Prophilus, Friend of Ithocles: Linda B
Nearchus, Prince of Argos: Alan Mapstone
Tecnicus, a Philosopher: Tovarisch
Hemophil, a Courtier: Anna Simon
Amelus, friend to Nearchus: Todd H W
Phulas, Servant to Bassanes: David Purdy
Calantha, Daughter of Amyclas: Sonia
Penthea, Sister of Ithocles and Wife of Bassanes: Charlotte Duckett
Euphranea, Daughter of Crotolon, a Maid of honour: K Hand
Christalla, a Maid of honour: Sawasawaya
Grausis, Overseer of Penthea: Availle
Groneas, a Courtier: K. Adrian Stroet
First Servant: Availle
Philema, a Maid of honour: Leanne Yau
The Witch of Edmonton| Dramatic
Thomas Dekker, William Rowley and John Ford
Running Time:02:24:30 in 1 MP3 Audio CD
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.
Cast
Narrator: Lydia C W
Mother Elizabeth Sawyer: Elizabby
Anne: Newgatenovelist
Susan: Kitty
Katherine: Kristin G J
Winnifred: Gloriana
Sir Arthur Clarington: Hamlet
Old Thorney / Hamluc: unreadpages
Carter: Todd H W
Warbeck:J Burlinson
Somerton: Salvationist
Frank Thorney: Dave in the Fax
Old Banks: Alan Mapstone
Cuddy Banks: BlueFunk
Dog, aka Tom: RobBoard
Ratcliffe: McFarlane
Justice / Constable: Dlolso21
First Clown / First Countryman: Khaghbboommm
Second Clown / Second Countryman: Cat Rose
Third Clown / Third Countryman: Leanne Yauyau
Fourth Clown / Sawgut: Hamlet