A History of Irish Theatre 1601–2000

An essential, entertaining and highly original guide to the history and performance of Irish theatre.

Christopher Morash (Author)

9780521646826, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 4 March 2004

344 pages, 20 b/w illus.
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.456 kg

'… wonderful … By insisting on the use of archival evidence - as well as textual interpretation - Morash demonstrates that Irish theatre criticism may be speculative without being fanciful, imaginative without being undisciplined.' Field Day Review

While most accounts of Irish theatre begin with the Abbey theatre, Chris Morash's comprehensive study goes back three centuries earlier to Ireland's first theatre. Written in an accessible style, yet drawing extensively on unpublished sources, it traces an often forgotten history leading up to the Irish Literary Revival, and then follows that history to the present. The main chapters are each followed by shorter chapters, focusing on a single night at the theatre. Morash creates a remarkably clear picture of the cultural contexts which produced the playwrights who have been responsible for making Irish theatre's world-wide historical and contemporary reputation. Morash also deals with aspects of Irish theatre often ignored, including audiences, performance styles, architecture, management and other aspects of Irish theatrical culture. This book is an essential, entertaining and highly original guide to the history and performance of Irish theatre.

Acknowledgements
List of illustrations
Introduction
1. Playing court: 1601–1692
A night at the theatre 1: Pompey, Smock Alley, February 10, 1663
2. Stage rights, 1691–1782
A night at the theatre 2: Mahomet, Smock Alley, March 2, 1754
3: 'Our National Theatre': 1782–1871
A night at the theatre 3: She Stoops to Conquer and Tom Thumb, Theatre Royal, Hawkins Street, December 14, 1822
4: 'That Capricious Spirit': 1871–1904
A night at the theatre 4: The Playboy of the Western World and Riders to the Sea, Abbey Theatre, January 29, 1907
5: 'Not understanding the clock': 1904–1921
A night at the theatre 5: The Plough and the Stars, Abbey Theatre, February 11, 1926
6: Aftermath: 1922–1951
A night at the theatre 6: Waiting for Godot, Pike Theatre, October 28, 1955
7: Phoenix flames: 1951–1972
A night at the theatre 7: Translations, Guildhall, Derry, September 23, 1980
A night at the theatre 8: Babel: 1972–2000
A millennial flourish: conclusions
Chronology.

Subject Areas: Theatre studies [AN]