The Second Shepherds’ Play by Mary Hall Surface (review)

• Published in: Theatre Journal Vol. 69; no. 4; pp. 574 - 576
• Main Author: Di Salvo, Gina M
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: Baltimore Johns Hopkins University Press 01.12.2017
• Subjects: Adaptations; Surface, Mary Hall; Theater; Tone; Washington DC; United States > US
• ISSN: 0192-2882; 1086-332X; 1086-332X
• DOI: 10.1353/tj.2017.0072

Chosen for their tone (sometimes festive, sometimes solemn) and themes (winter, the Annunciation), the songs provided meaningful inter-ludes between otherwise disconnected episodes of shepherds grumbling on the moor, a sheep-stealing couple scheming in the village, and the brief, unexpected nativity in Bethlehem.Miniature versions of the cast were then manipulated up and down by hand.[...]when the thief was finally caught and sentenced to be “cast . . . in canvas,” it was the puppet Mak that was tossed in a blanket.Critics often emphasize a structural parallel between the profane, funny couple that intends to eat the lamb and their sacred, almost silent counterparts at the nativity, but this production focused our attention on the shepherds by having them offer occasional moments of psychological realism within the otherwise farcical and otherworldly events.