French Theatre in the Neo-classical Era, 1550-1789

by William D. Howarth

Overview

This volume covers the period that saw the establishment in France of a centralized official theater—not only the Comédie-Française, but an Italian theater and a state Opera; the often subversive independent theaters are also discussed. Nearly 1000 documents are, for the most part, newly translated and many are published for the first time. Over 120 pictorial documents provide a visual dimension where relevant. A copious bibliography helps to make this an important reference work and a valuable research tool.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521230131
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	06/05/1997
Series:	Theatre in Europe: A Documentary History
Pages:	762
Product dimensions:	6.22(w) x 9.29(h) x 1.65(d)

Table of Contents

List of documents; General editors' preface; Editor's preface; Historical references and glossary; Abbreviations; Introduction; Part I. 1550–1630 Christopher Smith: 1. Documents of control; 2. Humanist drama; 3. Theatre in Paris; 4. Theatre in the provinces; 5. Theatre at court; Part II. 1630–80 Edward Forman, Michael O'Regan and William D. Howarth: 6. Documents of control; 7. Playhouses and companies; 8. Actors and acting; 9. Mise-en-scène and costume; 10. Audiences; 11. Authors and their critics; Part III. 1680–1715 Jan Clarke; 12. Documents of control; 13. Company documents; 14. Playhouses; 15. The play in rehearsal and performance; 16. Audiences; 17. Provincial and amateur theatre; 18. The morality debate; Part IV. 1715–91 John Golder and William D. Howarth: 19. Documents of control; 20. Company administration; 21. Theatre architecture; 22. Stage presentation; 23. Actors and acting; 24. Audiences, critics and the eighteenth-century repertoire; 25. Censorship and the morality debate; 26. Independent, provincial and private theatres; 27. Actors and authors; the end of the ancien régime; Bibliography.

Editorial Reviews

"This book is undoubtedly a useful tool for anyone dealing with studies of French theatre." Tjene Tedeschi, Sixteenth Century Journal

From the Publisher