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  A Shropshire Lad

  A. E. Housman

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  A Shropshire Lad is a cycle of sixty-three poems by the English poet Alfred Edward Housman. A Shropshire Lad was first published in 1896 at Housman's own expense after several publishers had turned it down. At first the book sold slowly, but during the Second Boer War, Housman's nostalgic depiction of rural life and young men's early deaths struck a chord with English readers and the book became a bestseller. Later, World War I further increased its popularity.(Summary from Wikipedia)

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  Venus and Adonis - One of the...

  William Shakespeare

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  Despite William Shakespeare being regarded as the most significant figure in the Western literary canon, relatively little is known about his early life and his later ‘lost years’.  Even the exact date of his birth is uncertain. 23rd April generally accepted to be the date of his birth, could be a scholarly mistake amplified by the coincidence of it also being the date of his death.  
   
  What is known for certain is that Shakespeare was born to middle class, but probably illiterate parents, John and Mary, in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1565 and baptised there on the 26th April.  He was the third of eight children and the first and eldest surviving son of the remaining five.  
   
  It’s assumed he attended, King’s New School the nearby grammar school, but no records from the time still exist.  However, information on the standardised curriculum that did exist, introduced the young Shakespeare to the disciplines of mathematics, Greek, law, classical history and Latin which greatly influenced his writing. 
   
  At 18, in some haste, he married Anne Hathaway, his senior by 8 years and pregnant with their first child Susanna who was to be followed by the twins, Hamnet and Judith.   Little else is known until in 1590 Shakespeare probably comes to London as by 1592 he becomes relatively well known – first as an actor and then, of course, as a playwright despite some early criticism for having a writing style of his better educated contemporaries and not of his own lower status.  
   
  His iconic status now spans global literature and stems directly from the magnitude of his plays, both tragedies and comedies, and his poetry which is often cited as some of the greatest love poetry ever written.  His legacy endures despite the passing of centuries. 
   
  William Shakespeare died at Stratford-upon-Avon on the April 23rd, 1616.  He was 52.

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  Miss Myrtle's Garden

  Danny James King

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  'I don't visit the past. The past visits me.'
  The sharp-tongued Miss Myrtle is trying to manage her unkempt garden in a rapidly changing neighbourhood. Her grandson Rudy and his 'close friend' Jason need a place to stay, and local drunk Eddie keeps relieving himself against her garden wall.
  When Rudy starts delving into the past, Myrtle resists – all she wants is some peace and quiet. But as her brain begins to play up, far more complicated questions about grief, love and understanding demand her attention, and she's running out of time.
  Miss Myrtle's Garden is a wonderfully warm and witty exploration of how acknowledging the past helps us live life in the present. It was written by Danny James King and first performed at the Bush Theatre, London, in 2025, directed by Taio Lawson.

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  A Florentine Tragedy and La...

  Robert Baldwin Ross

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  Two short fragments: an unfinished and a lost play. A Florentine Tragedy, left in a taxi (not a handbag), is Wilde’s most successful attempt at tragedy – intense and domestic, with surprising depth of characterisation. It was adapted into an opera by the Austrian composer Alexander Zemlinsky in 1917. La Sainte Courtisane, or The Woman Covered in Jewels explores one of Wilde’s great idées fixes: the paradox of religious hedonism, pagan piety. Both plays, Wildean to their core, revel in the profound sadness that is the fruit of the conflict between fidelity and forbidden love. Written towards the end of his tragic life, these fragments give us a glimpse of a genius at his best: visceral, passionate, personal, poetic. (Summary by Simon Larois)A Florentine Tragedy - cast:Narrator: TriciaGGUIDO BARDI, A Florentine prince: mbSIMONE, a merchant: Simon LaroisBIANNA, his wife: Ruth GoldingLa Sainte Courtisane - cast:Narrator: Ruth GoldingFirst man: mbMyrrhina: PhilippaSecond man: L.FrenchHonorius: woggy298Edited by Ruth Golding

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  Jerusalem - The Emanation of the...

  William Blake

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  The epic poem Jerusalem was in Blake's own opinion his masterpiece. It is the last of the great prophetic books. Originally produced as an engraved book of 100 pages (only one copy of which was every fully finished in the colouring), the poem develops and unifies many of the themes Blake had been exploring in earlier works. It is a complex and powerful work, full of dramatic imagery and sublime poetry. You might think of it like a poetic version of a Wagner opera. The edition read here is the first printed version of the poem - which was impossibly hard to read in the original. This then was the first opportunity to really explore it. However in his introduction Blake implies that the way to experience this work is to read it aloud rather than in your head. I can only agree, and I can also understand why few will do it. Although, somewhat inevitably, it is hard to do justice to the original, I hope this will give a flavour of this neglected gem. (Introduction by Nick Duncan)

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  The Playboy of the Western World

  J.M. Synge

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  The Playboy of the Western World by J. M. Synge is a celebrated classic of Irish drama known for its vibrant characters, sharp humor, and rich portrayal of rural life in early twentieth-century Ireland. First performed in 1907, the play quickly became one of the most famous—and controversial—works of modern theatre, admired for its lively storytelling and distinctive use of Irish dialect. 🎭📚
  
  The story unfolds in a small village on the rugged western coast of Ireland, where the quiet routine of a rural pub is suddenly disrupted by the arrival of a young stranger named Christy Mahon. Nervous and exhausted, Christy claims to be fleeing the law after committing a shocking act against his own father. Instead of rejecting him, the villagers become fascinated by his bold confession.
  
  To Christy's surprise, his story transforms him into a local hero. The villagers, especially the spirited barmaid Pegeen Mike, are captivated by his supposed bravery and rebellious spirit. Christy, once shy and uncertain, begins to gain confidence as admiration from the community elevates his status and reshapes his identity.
  
  However, as the truth behind his dramatic tale begins to unravel, the villagers' admiration turns to doubt and chaos. What once seemed heroic suddenly appears far less admirable, revealing how easily society can build—and destroy—its heroes based on rumor, storytelling, and imagination.
  
  Synge's play blends humor, irony, and sharp social observation. Through its colorful dialogue and lively characters, it explores themes such as the power of storytelling, the nature of heroism, community expectations, and the tension between myth and reality. The rural setting and rhythmic language give the play a strong sense of Irish cultural identity and folk tradition.
  
  When it first premiered at Dublin's Abbey Theatre, The Playboy of the Western World caused public controversy and protests due to its bold themes and unconventional portrayal of Irish rural life. Over time, however, it came to be recognized as one of the greatest achievements of Irish theatre and a masterpiece of modern drama.
  
  Today, Synge's play continues to captivate audiences with its wit, energy, and unforgettable characters.Through humor and satire, The Playboy of the Western World offers a timeless reflection on reputation, imagination, and the stories people tell to shape their place in the world.

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