Ancient Cornish Drama (Volume Ii)

A vanished stage comes alive.
Ancient voices still speak today.

The Ancient Cornish Drama (Volume II), by Edwin Norris, gathers a rare witness to Cornish medieval drama and presents it with clarity and respect. More than a compiler's trove, this historical play anthology illuminates the devotional and communal textures of early English theatre: the mystery plays collection, the English miracle plays and the religious pageant scripts that once structured local ritual and storytelling. Norris's text sits at the intersection of literary recovery and performance studies, offering material that serves as an academic research edition while remaining directly useful as a drama students resource. Readers encounter language shaped by Celtic folklore themes and a regional sensibility that enriches our picture of medieval Britain literature and Cornwall cultural history. Across its pages, the rhythms of communal worship and local legend combine to produce moments of startling immediacy, the sort of material that prompts fresh productions and lively classroom debate. As a resource for performance and research alike, Volume II sheds light on the social functions of drama in medieval communities and supports comparative study of regional repertories across Britain. The book's appeal is broad - casual readers discover vivid, stage-ready drama; scholars find source material and context; collectors of classic dramatic texts prize its documentary value. Its historical significance is clear: as surviving evidence of vernacular devotion and communal theatre, Volume II helps map the origins of public performance in Britain and deepens our understanding of cultural life in medieval Cornwall.

Out of print for decades and now republished by Alpha Editions. Restored for today's and future generations. More than a reprint - a collector's item and a cultural treasure. Compact enough for casual reading yet rich enough for classroom use, this edition invites both newcomers and seasoned admirers to explore the mystery plays collection at the heart of England's dramatic past.