The Profession of the Playwright
British Theatre, 1800–1900

This book examines the working world of the playwright in nineteenth-century Britain.

John Russell Stephens (Author)

9780521259132, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 30 January 1992

276 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.9 cm, 0.5 kg

"...Stephens has produced another will-researched, well-sritten book on the Victorian stage." John W. Stedman, Victorian Periodicals Review

This book examines the working world of the playwright in nineteenth-century Britain. It was often a risky and financially uncertain profession, yet the magic of the theatre attracted authors from widely different backgrounds - journalists, lawyers, churchmen, civil servants, printers and actors, as well as prominent poets and novelists. In a fascinating account of the frustrations and the rewards of dramatic authorship, Stephens uncovers information on the playwright's earnings, relationships with actors, managers, publishers and audience, and offers a perspective on his growing status as a professional. Further chapters focus on the struggle for copyright reform and the complexities of dramatic publishing. A large number of major and minor authors are discussed, among them Planche, Fitzball, Boucicault, Pinero, Grundy, Gilbert, Jones and Shaw.

Preface
Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations
1. The smell of lamps and orange peel
2. 'A devil of a trade'
3. The profit-sharing revolution
4. Piracy and the defence of dramatic property
5. Booksellers and dramatic publishing
6. From wings to centre stage
7. The new professionals
Appendixes
Notes
Bibliography
Index of plays and playwrights
General index.

Subject Areas: Theatre studies [AN]