The Towneley 'First Shepherds’ Play': Its ‘Grotesque’ Feast Revisited

With few exceptions, criticism of the Towneley ‘First Shepherds’ Play’ maintains that the food consumed by the shepherds in their feast-scene must have been imaginary and that performed consumption of this imaginary food must have been mimed. This essay counters this view, arguing that the shepherds’ menu includes food commonly served at English medieval Christmas feasts, and that, given the play’s theme, the play itself was likely performed in conjunction with — or even during — the actual Christmas feast. The play offers evidence of performance practices that integrated audience food consumption with the play itself.