Synopses & Reviews
This volume charts a period of political and social turbulence in Europe and its reflection on theatrical life. Apart from considering external factors like censorship and legal sanctions on theatrical activity, the volume examines the effects of prevailing operational conditions on the internal organization of companies, their repertoire, acting, stage presentation, playhouse architecture and the audience relationship. Many of the 460 documents are illustrated and drawn from sources in Britain, France and Italy. They have been annotated, and translated where appropriate.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 524-541) and index.
Synopsis
This volume charts a period of political and social turbulence in Europe and its reflection in theatrical life. Apart from considering external factors like censorship and legal sanctions on theatrical activity, the volume examines the effects of prevailing operational conditions on the internal organization of companies, their repertoire, acting, stage presentation, playhouse architecture and the relationship with audiences. The 460 documents, many of them illustrated, have been drawn from sources in Britain, France and Italy and have been annotated, and translated where appropriate.
Synopsis
Explores theatrical developments in three countries during a pivotal period of European history.
About the Author
Donald Roy is Emeritus Professor of Drama at the University of Hull. Before retiring in 1997, Professor Roy occupied Hull's first chair of Drama as well as visiting professorships in the USA. He has published books on Molière, J. R. Planché, and Jacques Copean and the Cartel des Quatre, and contributed to The Cambridge Guide to World Theatre (1988) and other international encyclopedias.
Table of Contents
List of documents; General editor's preface, Editor's preface, Acknowledgements; Britain Edited by Victor Emeljanow: Introduction; Part I. Theatre, the Law and Management Practices: A. Theatres and the law; B. Management and company practices; Part II. Playhouses; Part III. Repertoire, Taste and Audiences: A. Repertoire; B. Plays and playwriting; C. Audiences: conditions of viewing; D. Composition and behaviour; E. The attendance of royalty: its effect on audiences and repertoire; Part IV. Actors and Acting: A. Getting on stage; B. The theatre as industry; C. The art of the actor; D. 'Natural' acting; E. The actors; F. The advent of Edmund Kean and Romantic acting; G. Macready and the move towards realistic acting; H. Melodrama acting; I. The faces of comic acting; Part V. Stage Presentation: A. Stage machinery, lighting and effects; B. Stage settings; C. Stage business; D. Costuming; France Edited by Donald Roy: Introduction; Part I. Documents of Control: A. Licensing of theatres; B. Censorship and propaganda; Part II. Managerial and Contractual Documents; Part III. Actors and Acting: Part IV. Stage Presentation: A. Decors and machinery; B. Lighting; C. Costume; Part V. Audiences and Auditoria: Italy Edited by Kenneth Richards and Laura Richards: Introduction; Part I. After Goldoni: Part II. Carnival, feste and Street Theatre: Part III. Theatres, Scenic Design and Audiences: Part IV. Early Nineteenth-Century Acting Companies and Theatre Conditions: Part V. Players and Playing; Bibliography by country; Index.