French Theatre in the Neo-classical Era, 1550-1789 (Theatre in Europe: A Documentary History) - Softcover

Howarth, William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521100879 ISBN 13: 9780521100878

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2010

Synopsis

This 1997 book covers the period which saw the establishment in France of a centralized official theatre - not only the Comédie-Française (the first 'national' theatre), but an Italian theatre and a state opera; the often subversive independent theatres are also discussed. Nearly 1,000 documents deal with censorship and other aspects of external control, company management, the acting profession, dramatic theory and criticism, theatre architecture, settings and costumes, audience composition and behaviour. Over 120 pictorial documents - architectural drawings, technical engravings, frontispieces, portraits, etc. - provide a visual dimension where relevant. A full linking narrative and a copious bibliography help to make this an important reference work and a valuable research tool.

About this title

Review:

Review of the hardback: 'The book is put together by a team of specialists in theatre history. It presents a very complete picture - all the main documents are present, at least in extract. But the beauty of this collection is that it is a serious and comprehensive research tool, which yet leaves the reader's imagination free to roam.' The Times Literary Supplement

Review of the hardback: 'Vibrant with life and movement, and offering a wealth of factual detail on costs, costumes, scenery, stage design and special effects, and abundant anecdotal evidence about the trials and tribulations of an actor's life, this documentary history will be much appreciated by the teachers and students for whom it is intended.' New Theatre Quarterly

Book Description:

This 1997 volume covers the period which saw the establishment in France of the Comédie-Française, an Italian theatre and a state opera. Over 120 pictorial documents provide a visual dimension. The substantial bibliography helps to make this an important reference work.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0521100879
• ISBN 13: 9780521100878
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 764