Medieval Mischief: A Table Reading of Mankind

​Step into the hilariously irreverent world of Mankind, a late medieval English morality play that has entertained audiences for more than five centuries. Written in the 1470s and preserved in a single surviving manuscript, Mankind combines slapstick comedy, bawdy humor, and biting satire with serious questions about temptation, morality, and the purpose of life in the Middle Ages.

​In this interactive event, students will hear a brief introduction to the play’s historical context before taking the stage themselves to perform selected scenes in Dr. Obenauf’s modern translation. This informal table read will feature devilish villains, obscene comedy, and a surprising moral lesson. No acting experience required—just curiosity about the past and a good sense of humor.