Theatre, Culture and Temperance Reform in Nineteenth-Century America

This book examines the role of temperance drama in American theatre and compares the American genre to its British counterpart.

John W. Frick (Author)

9780521072205, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 14 August 2008

272 pages, 19 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.4 kg

"Frick continues the incredible run of quality work emanating from the Cambridge series... Essential for all libraries specializing in the history of the American theater and popular culture." Choice

Nineteenth-century America witnessed a full-blown campaign against alcohol and, for most of the century, temperance reform was a national cause. As an integral part of the various temperance movements, a new form of theatrical literature and performance developed, both professional and amateur, to help spread the message. John Frick examines the role of temperance drama in the overall scheme of American nineteenth-century theatre, taking examples from both mainstream productions and amateur theatricals. Frick also compares the American genre to its British counterpart.

List of figures
Acknowledgements
Introduction: A complex causality of neglect
1. 'He drank from the poisoned cup': temperance reform in nineteenth-century America
2. 'Nine-tenths of all kindness …': literature, the theatre, and the spirit of reform
3. 'Every odium within one word': early American temperance drama and British prototypes
4. Reform comes to Broadway: temperance on America's mainstream stages
5. 'In the halls': Temperance entertainments following the Civil War
6. Epilogue: 'Theatrical 'Dry Rot'?': or what price the anti-saloon league?
Appendix: nineteenth-century temperance plays
Notes
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Theatre studies [AN]