{"product_id":"the-stage-both-before-and-behind-the-curtain-from-observations-taken-on-the-spot-paperback-9781108081641","title":"The Stage; Both before and behind the Curtain, from Observations Taken on the Spot (Paperback \/ softback) 9781108081641","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eThe Stage\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cfont size=\"5\"\u003eBoth before and behind the Curtain, from Observations Taken on the Spot\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThese 1840 memoirs provide a fascinating if one-sided account of Alfred Bunn's career as librettist and theatrical manager.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eAlfred Bunn (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9781108081641, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback \/ softback, published 15 March 2018\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e336 pages\u003cbr\u003e21.6 x 14 x 2 cm, 0.5 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eThe librettist and theatre manager Alfred Bunn (1796–1860) published these memoirs of his career, giving a view 'both before and behind the curtain', in 1840. He professes not to be fond of autobiographies, is clearly irritated at the not always flattering walk-on role he is given in the memoirs of some of the greatest contemporary performers, and regards this three-volume work as a way of settling a number of scores. His account cannot therefore be said to be unprejudiced, but it is written with a verve which makes it very readable, and - allowing for bias and exaggeration - provides a fascinating account of the period when Bunn was running both the Theatre Royal at Drury Lane and the Opera House at Covent Garden, providing libretti for some of the best known British composers of the period, and quarrelling with almost everyone he worked with in the course of his career.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePreface\u003cbr\u003e 1. Inutility of biography\u003cbr\u003e 2. Indifference of the public\u003cbr\u003e 3. Performers and their salaries, past and present\u003cbr\u003e 4. A London manager as he is, and as he ought to be\u003cbr\u003e 5. The value of experience exemplified\u003cbr\u003e 6. A good address very desirable\u003cbr\u003e 7. Mems. of a manager during a continental trip\u003cbr\u003e 8. Ambassadors\u003cbr\u003e 9. Jephtha's vow\u003cbr\u003e 10. A visit to Germany, and its theatres\u003cbr\u003e 11. Dissolution\u003cbr\u003e 12. 'Repeal of the union' carried.\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":46266211762456,"sku":"9781108081641","price":24.38,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9781108081641i_cc8580af-92ad-4963-ad32-493738d4050e.jpg?v=1696751802","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/the-stage-both-before-and-behind-the-curtain-from-observations-taken-on-the-spot-paperback-9781108081641","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}