Timoclea at the Siege of Thebes

Playwright's Name (Year) Anonymous, 1574

Historical Records

<Reproduce relevant documentary evidence from historical records here. (For example, entries from Henslowe's Diary).> The Revels accounts record payments for preparation for a play of "Timoclia at the sege of Thebes. by Alexander", and for the supply of "Apparell propertyes and Necessaries" for its production at Hampton Court Palace at Candlemas 1574. A masque of ladies "with lightes being vj vertues" was planned to follow it, "but not showen for the Tediusnesse of the playe that nighte." Most of the payments to workers and artificers have more to do with the masque, but some items give some indication of the staging of the play: two dozen pairs of gloves (a traditional etiquette of court practice) made "for children" indicates a large cast, while players' houses were used for a setting, and a number of property weapons were prepared. (Feuillerat, 206-12).

Theatrical Provenance

<Enter information about which company performed the play, and where/when it was performed, etc.> The play was prepared and presented by the boys of Merchant Taylors School, London, under the direction of their master Richard Mulcaster. The venue was perhaps the Hall at Hampton Court, and the date 2 February 1574.

Probable Genre(s)

<List possible genres of the play: if noted by a critic, cite them, e.g. "Comedy (Harbage)". If an original speculation, simply list the genre.> Classical romance.

Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues

<Enter any information about possible or known sources. Summarise these sources where practical/possible, or provide an excerpt from another scholar's discussion of the subject if available.>

References to the Play

<List any known or conjectured references to the lost play here.>

Critical Commentary

<Summarise any critical commentary that may have been published by scholars. Please maintain an objective tone!>

For What It's Worth

<Enter any miscellaneous points that may be relevant, but don't fit into the above categories. This is the best place for highly conjectural thoughts.>

Works Cited

<List all texts cited throughout the entry, except those staple texts whose full bibliographical details have been provided in the masterlist of Works Cited found on the sidebar menu.>

<If you haven't done so already, also add here any key words that will help categorise this play. Use the following format, repeating as necessary:>

Site created and maintained by your name, affiliation; updated DD Month YYYY.