List Books » Renaissance Drama in Action: An Introduction to Aspects of Theatre Practice and Performance
Authors: Martin White
ISBN-13: 9780415067393, ISBN-10: 0415067391
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Taylor & Francis, Inc.
Date Published: June 1998
Edition: New Edition
Renaissance Drama in Action is a fascinating exploration of Renaissance theatre practice and staging. Covering questions of contemporary playhouse design, verse and language, staging and rehearsal practices, and acting styles, Martin White relates the characteristics of Renaissance theatre to the issues involved in staging the plays today.
This refreshingly accessible volume:
• examines the history of the plays on the English stage from the seventeenth century to the present day
• explores questions arising from reconstructions, with particular reference to the new Globe Theatre
• includes interviews with, and draws on the work and experience of modern theatre practitioners including Harriet Walter, Matthew Warchus, Trevor Nunn, Stephen Jeffreys, Adrian Noble and Helen Mirren
• includes discussions of familiar plays such as The Duchess of Malfi and 'Tis Pity She's A Whore, as well as many lesser known play-texts
Renaissance Drama in Action offers undergraduates and A-level students an invaluable guide to the characteristics of Elizabethan and Jacobean drama, and its relationship to contemporary theatre and staging.
Illustrations | ||
Abbreviations | ||
Acknowledgements | ||
1 | 'Comedies are writ to be spoken, not read': approaching the play | 1 |
2 | 'The life of these things consists in action': staging the play | 22 |
Case study: Matthew Warchus - Henry V: text, rehearsal, performance | ||
3 | 'Speeches well pronounced, with action lively framed': performing the play | 58 |
Case study: Harriet Walter - on playing the Duchess of Malfi | ||
Case study: Jacobean metatheatre - The Roman Actor | ||
4 | Palaces of pleasure: outdoor playing spaces and theatre practice | 109 |
Case study: The Spanish Tragedy, Act 2, scene 4 | ||
5 | Chambers of demonstrations: indoor playing spaces and theatre practice | 144 |
Case study: 'Tis Pity She's A Whore in action | ||
6 | 'Poison in jest': some comic (ir)resolutions | 177 |
Case study: The Duchess of Malfi, Act 5, scene 5 | ||
Case study: Titus Andronicus. Act 2, scene 4 | ||
7 | 'A good play gone wrong': Renaissance drama in action 1642-1997 | 197 |
Case study: New plays for old - Richard Brome and Stephen Jeffreys. A Jovial Crew | ||
Postscript | 233 | |
Notes | 235 | |
Bibliography | 245 | |
Index | 259 |