Bartholomew Fair
Bartholomew Fair Author: Ben Jonson
First Performance: 1614, London
Published: 1631
Genre: Com. in 5 acts; prose
Setting: Smithfield, London, early 17th c.
Cast: 29m, 7f, extras
It is the day of Bartholomew Fair, and John Littlewit wants to go and have fun there but is afraid of his Puritan mother-in-law's disapproval. Conveniently, his pregnant wife is desperate for roast pork, and with the specious support of the arch-Puritan Zeal-of-the-Land Busy, the family is permitted to go to the fair. The fair is in full swing with booths and entertainment. Justice Adam Overdo is there in disguise, snooping around in the hope of uncovering crime, but only succeeds in being beaten as a pickpocket. The pickpocket's victim is a wealthy country lad Bartholomew Cokes, who soon loses his second purse and some of his clothing....
[The entire page is 387 words long]
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