The Lady's Trial

Performed at the Phoenix (Cockpit) Theatre Drury Lane in 1638 by the last of the boys’ companies, ‘Beeston’s Boys’, The Lady’s Trial was Ford’s last play. There is some evidence to suggest that it enjoyed some brief popularity immediately after the Restoration, but it appears never to have been staged since. Why? That is one of the questions we will seek to answer with this production. ‘Why was it performed by a boys’ company?’ is another.

The script of this tragicomedy suggests that this is a fascinating piece of work which in some ways looks forward to topics which we usually associate with drama of later centuries: the position of women in society and in the home; the relationship between audience and performer; subtext, and the theatrical potential of the pause and silence.

Please note that tickets are only available in advance for plays, concerts, and other events at the School and that no new ticket sales are available on the door. Returns may be available from five minutes before the published start time. Booking closes at 5pm on the day of the performances in Oxford and Stratford.