Now an Audio CD from Rattling Books, Judge Prowse Presiding by Frank Holden brings a vital character and a near-forgotten frontier world of outport Newfoundland in the 1890s back to life.
Daniel Woodley Prowse (1834-1914), police magistrate, journalist, sportsman, historian and champion of the common man, was a "cross between Dr Samuel Johnson and Falstaff." As he rails at both plaintiffs and felons in his jokes and yarns he revives the excitement and the agonies of his time.
Judge Prowse was born in Port de Grave, Newfoundland in 1834. He is best known as the author of A History of Newfoundland, first published in 1895. A History of Newfoundland, is widely hailed as one of the finest histories written about Newfoundland and Labrador.
First performed by Frank Holden in the mid 1980s, Judge Prowse Presiding was adapted from the stage and performed for Rattling Books in 2006 by Frank Holden.
Words and melody of the song "Greedy Harbour, " composed by Jack Maher and Stephen Mullins, 1929, (Greenleaf's Ballads and Sea Songs of Newfoundland, Harvard University Press, 1933, page 256, Library of Congress card catalogue # 68:20767).
Listening time: Roughly 75 minutes ADAPTED FROM THE STAGE © Frank Holden 1987, Rattling Books 2006 $19.95 - An AUDIO CD ISBN 978-0-9737586-6-5
Available online from Rattling Books
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