John Bale and the Practice of Drama

Abstract

This article reviews John Bale’s vigorous and extensive output as a dramatist. Five of his plays are extant and there is evidence of about 20 more, now lost. He was most active in the 1530s and his interest continued into the 1560s. His plays in the Protestant interest were supported by Thomas Cromwell and he seems to have performed in them as well as composing them, and later he ensured that some were printed. After consideration of the political and theatrical contexts of his work, the essay is concerned with the genres of his plays which combine classical and medieval features, and with his attitudes to his audiences. Finally some aspects of the plays as entertainment are considered, especially in their theatrical inventiveness and their exploitation of music and visual effects. He achieved a potent mixture of entertainment and polemic.