Singing Simpkin and other Bawdy Jigs

<p><br /> A popular crowd-pleaser in the late 16<sup>th</sup> and mid-17<sup>th</sup> century the dramatic jig was a short comic bawdy musical-drama which included elements of dance slapstick and disguise. With a cast of ageing cuckolds and young head-strong wives knavish clowns roaring soldiers and country bumpkins jigs often followed as afterpieces at London's playhouses and were performed at fairs in villages and in private houses. Troublesome to the authorities they drew the crowds by offering a lively antidote to more sober theatrical fare. <br /> This performance edition presents for the first time nine examples of English dramatic jigs from the late sixteenth century through to the Restoration; the scripts are re-united as far as possible with their original tunes. It gives a comprehensive history discusses sources plots instrumentation and dancing and offers practical information on staging jigs today.<br /> Includes:</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <ul> <ul> <li><br /> Transcriptions of the original texts</li> </ul> </ul> <p> </p> <ul> <ul> <li><br /> Contextual notes: plot synopses and discussion of sources themes and audience reception</li> </ul> </ul> <p> </p> <ul> <ul> <li><br /> Musical notation for each tune with suggestions for underlay and chords and notes on instrumention and style</li> </ul> </ul> <p> </p> <ul> <ul> <li><br /> Appendix of dance instructions and reconstructions</li> </ul> </ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><br /> </p> <p> </p> <p><br /> </p> <p> </p>