{"product_id":"the-first-english-actresses-women-and-drama-1660-1700-paperback-9780521422109","title":"The First English Actresses; Women and Drama, 1660–1700 (Paperback) 9780521422109","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eThe First English Actresses\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cfont size=\"5\"\u003eWomen and Drama, 1660–1700\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis book describes how and why women were permitted to act on the public stage after 1660 in England.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eElizabeth Howe (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9780521422109, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback, published 4 June 1992\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e244 pages, 12 b\/w illus.  2 tables\u003cbr\u003e22.9 x 15.7 x 1.5 cm, 0.38 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e\"...a detailed, meticulous study, which will be of interest to the specialist as well as the general reader....presents an enormous amount of information and will almost certainly provide the impetus for future studies.\"   Elizabeth D. Harvey, Renaissance Quarterly\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eBefore the Restoration of Charles II there were no professional actresses on the English stage, and female roles had almost always been played by men. This book describes how and why women were permitted to act on the public stage after 1660, and the consequences of their arrival for the drama of the period. Elizabeth Howe opens up a fascinating subject to non-specialists. Beginning with a general account of the workings of Restoration theatre, she goes on to explain the advent of the actresses and how they were treated. Perceived predominantly as sex objects, the actresses' sexuality was variously exploited in ways that had important consequences for drama. The book addresses questions that are relevant to women's issues in every period: how far did the advent of real women players alter dramatic portrayals of women? Did this encourage more or less equality between the sexes? Although in one sense merely playthings for a small male elite, the pioneering actresses also represent a distinct female voice in society and a fresh place in discourse.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eIllustrations\u003cbr\u003e A note on styling, dates and editions used\u003cbr\u003e Preface\u003cbr\u003e Introduction\u003cbr\u003e 1. The arrival of the actress\u003cbr\u003e 2. Sex and violence: the exploitation of the actress in Restoration drama\u003cbr\u003e 3. The actress, the dramatist and comedy\u003cbr\u003e 4. Life overwhelming fiction: how actresses' own personalities affected their roles\u003cbr\u003e 5. Elizabeth Barry and the development of Restoration tragedy\u003cbr\u003e 6. The actress as dramatic prostitute\/mistress\u003cbr\u003e 7. The angel and the she-devil and their impact on Restoration drama\u003cbr\u003e 8. Conclusion: the achievement of the first English actresses\u003cbr\u003e Appendix I. Major actresses and their roles\u003cbr\u003e Appendix II. Plays in which Barry and Bracegirdle appeared together\u003cbr\u003e Notes\u003cbr\u003e Bibliography\u003cbr\u003e Index.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: Theatre studies [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Theatre studies\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Theatre%20studies%20%5BAN%5D%22\"\u003eAN\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Cambridge University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46001557471512,"sku":"9780521422109","price":37.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9780521422109i_993fc13c-4f43-49e4-b893-98ea59b24464.jpg?v=1691381455","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/the-first-english-actresses-women-and-drama-1660-1700-paperback-9780521422109","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}