Ram Alley, or Merry Tricks by Lording Barry

Ram Alley, or Merry Tricks, is a bawdy comedy by Lording Barry, a contemporary of Shakespeare. The production bankrupted Barry, landed him in debtor's jail, and set him off on a life of piracy. The action of Ram Alley takes place in a disreputable London lane where lawyers, lords, and ladies rub shoulders with prostitutes and vagabonds. One 19th century editor complained that it was "full of gross passages, allusions, and innuendoes," but more recent commentators have seen past the risque gags and recognised the play's wit, complexity, and intelligence. Ram Alley has only been revived three times since 1611, but recently came close to topping a poll of academics to find the best 'forgotten' play by an Elizabethan/Jacobean dramatist. - Summary by Rob Board


Narrator: Kristin Gjerløw

Sir Oliver Smallshanks: Andrew Utley

Thomas Smallshanks: davidpr

William Smallshanks: Rob Board

Boutcher: Negatron

Lady Sommerfield: Elizabeth Klett

Constantia Sommerfield: Lynne Thompson

Frances: Beth Thomas

Mistress Taffeta: Alex Lane

Adriana: Sandra Schmit

Lieutenant Beard: Hamlet

Throat: Peter Tucker

Dash: Hannoria

Justice Tutchin: Richard Shipp

Captain Puff, aka Captain Face: Zames Curran

Sergeant: alanmapstone

1st citizen: Lydia

1st & 2nd gentleman: Joseph Tabler

A drawer: Ruth Golding

Serving man: Mary Kay

1st woman: Availle

Constable: Newgatenovelist

Audio edited by: Rob Board