A Chaste Maid in Cheapside

Post date: 06-Jun-2013 21:22:52

2013 began with a new term at East 15 Acting School's Hatfield (Loughton) campus, working with 13 of the students following the Certificate of Higher Education in Theatre Arts. This second term of their foundation year explores more classic texts - both English & European (in translation).

The chosen play - to give them experience of a non-Shakespeare 17th century classic text - was one of Thomas Middleton's Citizens' comedies: A Chaste Maid in Cheapside, written in 1613.

The piece is innuendo-filled and fast-paced. It was certainly a challenge trying to work out some of the obtuse references - some were demystified through exploring the society of the time and what made the area, and its inhabitants, tick.

17th century Cheapside was, as it still is today, a highly commercial area. A thriving market place, full of sexual intrigue and double dealing. The haunt of knights, gentlemen, and scholars where gold, and maids, were bought and sold!

As we worked on the world of the play, it became clear it was a slice of life from the period. During this time, theatre & theatre makers were moving away from plays about history, kings and princes, tempests and twins, and towards plays which reflected the life of the ‘citizens’ and changing society: a kind of “reality theatre” perhaps. Consequently, to make this world more accessible to a 21st century audience we reflected it in the contemporary setting - “Made in Cheapside”, if you will!

It seemed fitting that the young actors, exploring the use of heightened language and creating characters, had a clear frame of reference within the growing legion of reality TV programmes – with real people in situations which have been created for our “entertainment”.