ABSTRACT
The subplot of Histriomastix is a comprehensive indictment of the common player, and, granted its unfavourable bias, provides a rich seam of information about his day-to-day activities, as well as a general summary of current prejudices against him. We see a company formed, and are given the reasons for its formation, articles are drawn up and costumes commissioned, the players cry a current play, and have an impromptu reading of one in preparation, they sing-in the lord's banquet, perform snatches from two plays, and finish off with an improvisation on a theme; they negotiate with a playwright, rehearse, are pressed into the army, refuse to pay their bills, pawn their costumes, and are shipped off as undesirables . It is a rich piece of evidence which perhaps because of its negative bias has been undeservedly neglected.
