The Growth of English Drama

The Growth of English Drama by Arnold Wynne revitalizes the story of early English theatre, offering a richly detailed account that bridges history and literature. Wynne moves beyond general criticism to present plot summaries, character sketches, and even specimens of verse from interludes and plays that shaped pre-Shakespearean drama. He treats the University Wits and lesser-known pieces with equal care, bringing works like Hick Scorner, Gammer Gurton’s Needle, and The Misfortunes of Arthur out of footnote obscurity and into full view. Surveying the transition from medieval liturgical plays and secular interludes to the flowering of Elizabethan theatre, Wynne examines the influences of figures such as Heywood, Udall, Sackville, and Kyd, and traces how cultural change, performance conditions, and literary innovation combined to produce a national dramatic tradition. His balanced blend of historical context, textual excerpts, and critical commentary gives listeners the tools to form their own judgments about these formative works. Ideal for students of drama, theatre historians, and literature lovers seeking a lucid, authoritative history of English drama, this book deepens appreciation for the origins of the stage and the roots of the English literary canon.