Thomas Middleton and Thomas Dekker's The Roaring Girl is a rip-roaring Jacobean comedy that brings a legendary figure to the stage with wit, audacity, and unbridled energy. Based on the scandalous true story of Mary Frith—known as "Moll Cutpurse"—this 1611 play captures the exploits of a cross-dressed woman who defied every social convention of early 17th-century London.
Moll navigates a world of pickpockets, brawlers, and street rogues while becoming entangled in the romantic schemes of three merchants' wives and the forbidden love between the young Sebastian Wengrave and Mary Fitzallard. The play masterfully weaves together lowlife adventures with courtship intrigue, creating a vibrant portrait of a woman who refused to be confined by gender or class expectations.
A groundbreaking work of dramatic literature, The Roaring Girl showcases Middleton and Dekker's sharp dialogue and keen social commentary. This audiobook is perfect for fans of Renaissance drama, those interested in early modern feminism and gender transgression, and anyone who enjoys clever comedies filled with colorful characters and moral ambiguity. Whether you're exploring classic theater or discovering how writers of the past challenged social norms, this production brings London's underworld and drawing rooms brilliantly to life.
