Pirandello:Six Characters in Search of an Author

A study of the history of performances of Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author.

Jennifer Lorch (Author)

9780521646185, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 9 December 2004

272 pages, 12 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 1.5 cm, 0.32 kg

'Jennifer Lorch's splendid book, which recounts both Pirandello's own rewriting and the readings of the play made by directors in succeeding decades, is boldly dynamic in scope and intention, and constitutes not merely a history of productions but a pursuit, a recherche, into the very process of creation. … Lorch is superb on the inner history of rewriting and on the outer story of Italian and international productions. … Jennifer Lorch's researches have been exhaustive. … It is written in a sprightly style which allows her to carry her learning lightly, but it rests on extensive research and on delicately balanced judgements. This is a considerable achievement, and an enhancement of our knowledge of Pirandello.' Pirandello Studies

Since its explosive premiere in Rome in 1921, Six Characters in Search of an Author has gained worldwide recognition. Pirandello's challenge to the very notion of stage representation was taken up by the leading directors of the time. The playwright incorporated details from the early performances into his revised text, which he directed himself in 1925. Jennifer Lorch examines the two texts in the context of different theatrical traditions and traces Pirandello's growing awareness of the development of advanced theatrical facilities outside Italy. She also offers an analysis of selected productions of the play in Italy, England, France, the USA, Germany and Russia in both commercial and avant-garde theatres. This comprehensive study includes a production chronology, bibliography and illustrations from major productions.

Introduction
1. The Play
2. The first production (1921)
3. Two early productions in London and New York (1922)
4. Pitoëff's production in Paris (1923)
5. Reinhardt's production in Berlin (1924)
6. Pirandello's production of the 1925 text (1925)
7. Six Characters on the Italian stage (1936–93)
8. Two English productions (1929 and 1963)
9. Becoming part of national theatre in France and England
10. Making Six Characters accessible: Robert Brustein and Richard Jones
11. Pushing at the frontiers of theatre: Grüber and Vasiliev
12. A brief look at Six Characters in other media
Conclusion
Select production chronology
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Theatre studies [AN]