London Civic Theatre
City Drama and Pageantry from Roman Times to 1558

This book presents a rich picture of civic theatrical life in London, from Roman amphitheatre shows to Tudor pageantry.

Anne Lancashire (Author)

9780521120364, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 1 October 2009

376 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.1 cm, 0.55 kg

Review of the hardback: 'This book should be required reading for all scholars and teachers of drama and theatre, not only because it establishes many of the facts (and corrects many of the fictions) about theatre in London before 1558, but also because it demonstrates the extent to which Medieval theatre in general was a civic activity …' English Studies in Canada

Civic theatre - drama and pageantry sponsored by city and town governing bodies - is prominent in histories of early English provincial drama but has been largely ignored for pre-Elizabethan London. Anne Lancashire explodes the widely held notion that significant London theatre arose only in the age of Shakespeare, when the first commercial playhouses were built there. She outlines the extent and types of early civic theatrical performance, specifically in London, from Roman times to Elizabeth I's accession to the throne in 1558, focusing on Roman amphitheatre shows, medieval and early Tudor plays, mummings, royal entries, and other kinds of street pageantry. With evidence from a multitude of primary sources and extensive use of early chronicle histories, the book raises questions about this urban, largely political theatre which provided an important foundation for the work of Shakespeare and his contemporaries.

Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations
Company designations
London Mayors and Sheriffs
Transcription Practices
Introduction
Part I. From Roman Times to 1410: 1. Roman London
2. London c.410–1200
3. London 1200–1410
Part II. From 1410 to 1558: 4. Company hall plays: performance records
5. Company hall plays: types and performers
6. Civic theatre and John Lydgate
7. Land entries
8. Water shows
9. The Midsummer Watch
10. The Lord Mayor's Show
Appendices: Appendix A. Royals and other entries 1400–1558
Appendix B. Selected civic records.

Subject Areas: British & Irish history [HBJD1], Literary studies: plays & playwrights [DSG]