Romantic and Revolutionary Theatre, 1789–1860

This volume explores theatrical developments in three countries during a pivotal period of European history.

Donald Roy (Edited by), Victor Emeljanow (Introduction by), Kenneth Richards (Introduction by), Laura Richards (Introduction by)

9780521100854, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 18 June 2009

588 pages, 66 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.2 x 3 cm, 0.78 kg

Taking as notional parameters the upheaval of the French Revolution and the events leading up to the Unification of Italy, this volume charts a period of political and social turbulence in Europe and its reflection in theatrical life. Apart from considering external factors like censorship and legal sanctions on theatrical activity, the volume examines the effects of prevailing operational conditions on the internal organization of companies, their repertoire, acting, stage presentation, playhouse architecture and the relationship with audiences. Also covered are technical advances in stage machinery, scenography and lighting, the changing position of the playwright and the continuing importance of various street entertainments, particularly in Italy, where dramatic theatre remained the poor relation of the operatic, and itinerant acting troupes still constituted the norm. The 460 documents, many of them illustrated, have been drawn from sources in Britain, France and Italy and have been annotated, and translated where appropriate.

List of documents
General editor's preface
Editor's preface
Acknowledgements
Britain Edited by Victor Emeljanow: Introduction
Part I. Theatre, the Law and Management Practices: A. Theatres and the law
B. Management and company practices
Part II. Playhouses
Part III. Repertoire, Taste and Audiences: A. Repertoire
B. Plays and playwriting
C. Audiences: conditions of viewing
D. Composition and behaviour
E. The attendance of royalty: its effect on audiences and repertoire
Part IV. Actors and Acting: A. Getting on stage
B. The theatre as industry
C. The art of the actor
D. 'Natural' acting
E. The actors
F. The advent of Edmund Kean and Romantic acting
G. Macready and the move towards realistic acting
H. Melodrama acting
I. The faces of comic acting
Part V. Stage Presentation: A. Stage machinery, lighting and effects
B. Stage settings
C. Stage business
D. Costuming
France Edited by Donald Roy: Introduction
Part I. Documents of Control: A. Licensing of theatres
B. Censorship and propaganda
Part II. Managerial and Contractual Documents
Part III. Actors and Acting
Part IV. Stage Presentation: A. Decors and machinery
B. Lighting
C. Costume
Part V. Audiences and Auditoria: Italy Edited by Kenneth Richards and Laura Richards: Introduction
Part I. After Goldoni
Part II. Carnival, feste and Street Theatre
Part III. Theatres, Scenic Design and Audiences
Part IV. Early Nineteenth-Century Acting Companies and Theatre Conditions
Part V. Players and Playing
Bibliography by country
Index.

Subject Areas: Theatre studies [AN]