About this book
Shoemaker's Holiday, by Thomas Dekker, is a bracing Elizabethan comedy that brings sixteenth-century London’s workshops, rivalries, and romances to life. First staged in 1599 by the Admiral’s Men, this city comedy centers on the shoemaker Simon Eyre and his lively shop, where tradesmen, apprentices, and a disguised aristocrat collide in a spirited exploration of class, labor, and identity.
Dekker weaves multiple storylines—Rowland Lacy’s decision to adopt the guise of “Hans” the shoemaker, the domestic tensions around Ralph and his wife Jane, and Eyre’s rise from craftsman to civic prominence—without losing the play’s warm comic heart. Themes of social mobility, civic pride, disguise, and the value of honest work are set against a richly textured portrait of Tudor London, full of roistering humor, sharp satire, and memorable characters.
Ideal for listeners who love Elizabethan drama, historical comedy, or the bustling energy of city plays, this audiobook offers witty dialogue, a strong ensemble cast of personalities, and a vivid sense of place. Tune in for a lively, human story that celebrates craft, community, and the unpredictable pleasures of city life.
