Shakespeare in the Theatre

Complemented by photographs of individual productions, Mr David's book comprises studies of major English productions of Shakespeare during the 1970s.

Richard David (Author)

9780521284905, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 31 August 1981

280 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.42 kg

Complemented by photographs of individual productions, Mr David's book comprises studies of major English productions of Shakespeare during the 1970s, often detailing how radically some performances have altered in the course of a run. His first concern has been to record, as accurately and comprehensively as possible, those moments in actual performance that have seemed most strikingly to recreate or impair the dramatic effects intended by Shakespeare. Mr David also draws wider conclusions about Shakespeare's art and the art of the theatre in general. He attempts to answer such questions as: what are the main trends and priorities in contemporary Shakespearean production? What conditions are imposed on plays by the nature of theatre and the art of acting? How is performance moulded by dramatic form? What special problems affect the 'translation', for modern spectators, of a classical play written in accordance with forgotten conventions? This book fuses academic and practical approaches to drama.

Preface
1. The art of the theatre
2. Drama as opera
3. New lamps for old
4. What has happened: now read on
5. The problem of Hamlet
6. The parties themselves, the actors
7. A pair of star-crossed lovers
8. Reality and artifice
9. Antike Romans
10. The director clarifies
11. Falstaff and the House of Lancaster
12. Two comedies translated
13. Conclusions.

Subject Areas: Theatre studies [AN]