Knight of the Burning Pestle

About this book

The Knight of the Burning Pestle is a play in five acts, first performed in 1607. It is the first whole parody (or pastiche) play in English. The play is a satire on chivalric romances in general, similar to Don Quixote. It breaks the fourth wall from its outset. As a play called "The London Merchant" is about to be performed, a Citizen and his Wife "in the audience" interrupt and demand that the players put on a play of their own choosing and suggest that their apprentice, Rafe, should have a part in the play as a knight errant. He refers to himself as the "Grocer Errant" and has a burning pestle on his shield as a heraldic device. This meta-fictional plot is intercut with the main plot of the interrupted play, where Jasper Merrythought, the merchant's apprentice, is in love with his master's daughter, Luce, and must elope with her to save her from the arranged marriage with Humphrey, a "swell" or City man of fashion. Meanwhile Jasper's mother has decided to leave her husband Old Merrythought, who, in an apparent mid-life crisis, has spent all his savings in drinking and partying. Summary by Wikipedia and Rob BoardCast Narrator: Kristin Gjerløw Citizen: Phil Birss Wife: Jo Vickers Rafe / Michael: Rob Board Boy: ScarlettG Venturewell: John Burlinson Luce: Charlotte Duckett Humphrey: Hamlet Merrythought: ToddHW Mistress Merrythought: Sonia Jasper: davidpr Tim: Dillon McFarlane George: Michele Eaton Speaker of Prologue / William Hammerton: alanmapstone Tapster / 2nd Soldier: Leanne Yau Host: Anna Simon Man / 2nd Man / 3rd Man: TomDavisBeal Barber / Sergeant: Joseph Tabler Woman / 1st Soldier: MaryAnn Pompiona: Newgatenovelist Servant: Georgina Shaw George Greengoose: David Purdy Edited by: Rob Board