The Oxford Illustrated History of Theatre

by Brown, John Russell

• ISBN13: 9780192854421
• ISBN10: 0192854429
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-06-28
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

The Oxford Illustrated History of Theatre, an authoritative and lavishly illustrated new history, celebrates the stage's greatest achievements over 4,500 years, from festival performances in ancient Egypt to international, multicultural drama in the late twentieth century, and from Sophocles and Aristophanes to George Gershwin and Harold Pinter. Here are the playwrights, plays, actors, directors, producers, songwriters, famous playhouses, dramatic movements, and more, accessibly and attractively arranged so that everyone with a passion for the stage can follow the glorious procession of this triumphant art throughout history and across cultures. The Oxford Illustrated History of the Theatre guides readers through the full spectrum of dramatic representation as well as giving due weight to how the scene backstage evolved through the centuries--the role of musicians, light, sound, and equipment, and the art of set design--and to the crucial role of the audience and critics. Finally, there are stimulating essays on the history of Asian theater and a concluding account of theater since 1970 by editor John Russell Brown that highlights the contributions of our best-loved contemporary playwrights, directors, and lyricists. Spectacular illustrations throughout bring the very visual nature of theater to life, serving as dramatic accompaniment to the text. The Oxford Illustrated History of Theatre is an essential source of reference for anyone interested in the stage, from students and teachers to seasoned professionals and starry-eyed fans.

Author Biography

John Russell Brown is Professor of Theatre at the University of Michigan and was for fifteen years Associate of the National Theatre in London.

Table of Contents

List of Contributors	vii
Introduction	1	(12)
John Russell Brown
PART ONE: THE FIRST THEATRES
Greek Theatre	13	(36)
Oliver Taplin
Theatre in Roman and Christian Europe	49	(44)
David Wiles
Beginnings of Theatre in Africa and the Americas	93	(14)
Leslie Du S. Read
PART TWO: THEATRE IN EUROPE FROM THE RENAISSANCE TO 1700
Italian Renaissance Theatre	107	(35)
Louise George Clubb
Spanish Renaissance Theatre and Neo-Classical Theatre	142	(31)
Victor Dixon
English Renaissance and Restoration Theatre	173	(47)
Peter Thomson
French Renaissance and Neo-Classical Theatre	220	(35)
William D. Howarth
PART THREE: EUROPEAN AND WESTERN THEATRES FROM 1700
Eighteenth-Century Theatre	255	(44)
Peter Holland
Michael Patterson
Nineteenth-Century Theatre	299	(42)
Michael R. Booth
Modern Theatre: 1890-1920	341	(39)
Martin Esslin
Theatre after Two World Wars	380	(119)
Christopher Innes
PART FOUR: WORLD THEATRE
Oriental Theatres
South Asian Theatres Farley Richmond	447	(18)
East Asian Theatres Colin Mackerras	465	(18)
South-East Asian Theatres Leon Rubin	483	(16)
Theatre since 1970	499	(38)
John Russell Brown
Chronology	537	(10)
Further Reading	547	(12)
Acknowledgement	559	(1)
Illustration Sources	560	(3)
Index	563