Scenes and Machines on the English Stage during the Renaissance
A Classical Revival

Originally published in 1923, this book presents a detailed study of the development of English staging during the Renaissance.

Lily B. Campbell (Author)

9781107620841, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 March 2013

332 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.9 cm, 0.42 kg

Originally published in 1923, this book presents a detailed study of the development of English staging during the Renaissance, and its relationship with the classical revival of stage decoration in Italy. The text attempts to show how from the beginning of the classical revival of drama in Italy, staging was regarded as an accepted part of dramatic production, and how this led to the formulation of definite practices of staging. These practices are then presented as being directly influential upon English theatre, prior to the Reformation by way of Italy and after the Reformation by way of both Italy and France. Finally, the development of English staging inspired by classical authority is presented as finding its natural culmination in the formalism of the late seventeenth century. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the English Renaissance and the development of staging.

Preface
Introduction
Part I. The Classical Revival of Stage Decoration in Italy: 1. The influence of Vitruvius on the scenic representation of the drama
2. The re-discovery of the art of perspective in scenes
3. The adopting of the perspective scene in dramatic production
4. Machines
5. The theory of the drama
Part II. Stage Decoration in England during the Sixteenth Century: 6. Early classical influences in England
7. Dramatic representations in the grammar schools, universities and inns of court
8. Dramatic representations at court
9. Scenery in the public theatres
10. Dramatic criticism
Part III. Stage Decoration in England 1600–50: 11. Progress in the theory of architecture and perspective
12. The work of Inigo Jones and his contemporaries in England
13. Spectacle in the theatres
Part IV. Stage Decoration in England after the Restoration: 14. The incorporation of scenes in the public theatres
15. The justification of dramatic spectacle
16. The influence of opera on dramatic genre
17. 'Discoveries'
18. Movable scenes and the unity of place
19. Conclusions
Index.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]