The Oxford Illustrated History of Theatre

A survey of 4,500 years of international performance history covers the significant movements, writers, performers, and events from traditional and avant-garde theater

Auteur
John Russell Brown was Professor of Theature at the University of Michigan, and for fifteen years was Associate of the National Theatre in London. He has writen and edited several books and editions of plays by Shakespeare, and has directed plays for professional and student companies.

Texte du rabat

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.

Résumé
This is an authoritative and comprehensive guide to the history of theatre, ranging from Ancient Egyptian festivals to contemporary performance arts. Lavishly illustrated in black and white and colour throughout, this is the perfect book for theatre goer and student alike

Contenu

• Introduction

• The First Theatres

• 2: David Wiles: Theatre in Roman and Christian Europe

• 3: Leslie du S. Read: Beginnings of Theatre in Africa and the Americas

• Theatre in Europe from the Renaissance to 1700

• 5: Victor Dixon: Spanish Renaissance Theatre and Neo-Classical Theatre

• 6: Peter Thomson: English Renaissance and Restoration Theatre

• 7: William D. Howarth: French Renaissance and Neo-Classical Theatre

• European and Western Theatres from 1700

• 9: Michael R. Booth: Nineteenth-Century Theatre

• 10: Martin Esslin: Modern Theatre 1890-1920

• 11: Christopher Innes: Theatre After Two World Wars

• World Theatre

• South Asian Theatres

• East Asian Theatres

• South-East Asian Theatres

• 13: John Russell Brown: Theatre since 1970

• Chronology

• Further Reading

• Index