Illegitimate Theatre in London, 1770–1840

This book explores British illegitimate theatre towards the end of the eighteenth century.

Jane Moody (Author)

9780521039864, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 30 July 2007

296 pages, 15 b/w illus.
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.448 kg

'Moody's book is rich in detailed research and vivid examples, and she never loses the sense of vitality and entertainment that lies at the heart of her subject … an indispensable contribution to the study of theatrical culture in the period.' New Theatre Quarterly

Towards the end of the eighteenth century, a major transformation took place in British dramatic culture. At the heart of that transformation was the controversial emergence of an illegitimate theatre, and a cultural struggle between London's patent playhouses (Drury Lane, Covent Garden and the Haymarket) and the new, so-called minor theatres. This was the first book to explore the institutions, genres, and performance history of this illegitimate theatre. Jane Moody's lively account considers the prohibition of tragedy and comedy at London's minor theatres and describes the various ingenious ways in which performers circumnavigated the law. Moody brings to light illicit productions of Shakespeare and the minor theatres' fascination with dramatic subjects censored on the legitimate stage. Illegitimate Theatre represents an important contribution to our understanding of nineteenth-century cultural politics and also offers a powerful critique of theatre's position in the literary history of Romanticism.

List of illustrations
Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations
Prologue
1. The invention of illegitimate culture
2. The disintegration of legitimate theatre
3. Illegitimate production
4. Illegitimate Shakespeares
5. Reading the theatrical city
6. Westminster laughter
7. Illegitimate celebrities
Epilogue
Select bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], British & Irish history [HBJD1], Theatre studies [AN]