Life and Death of Tom Thumb the Great

About this recording

Tom Thumb, small of stature, great of heart. This play was written as a parody of the tragic heroic biography of a great man, filled with biting satire as to people and events of the time. Note as warned by the title that this is not a happy-ending fairy tale. (Follow the etext link to see how the script is full of fictitious supposedly real researchy footnotes by "H. Scriblerus Secundus" providing fake references to the events and allusions of the play.) Supposedly Jane Austen put on a family performance of this play.

- Summary by ToddHW

Cast list:

King Arthur, a passionate sort of king, husband to queen Dollallolla, of whom he stands a little in fear; father to Huncamunca, whom he is very fond of, and in love with Glumdalca: ToddHW

Tom Thumb the Great, a little hero with a great soul, something violent in his temper, which is a little abated by his love for Huncamunca: Matthew Reece

Ghost of Gaffer Thumb, a whimsical sort of ghost: Andrew Gaunce

Lord Grizzle, extremely zealous for the liberty of the subject, very cholerick in his temper, and in love with Huncamunca: Alan Mapstone

Merlin, a conjurer, and in some sort father to Tom Thumb: Wayne Cooke

Noodle, courtier in place, and…

• Satire
• Tragedy