A History of Irish Theatre 1601–2000
A History of Irish Theatre 1601–2000
$53.00
USDWhile most accounts of Irish theatre begin with the Abbey theatre, Chris Morash's comprehensive study goes back three centuries earlier to Ireland's first theatre. Written in an accessible style, yet drawing extensively on unpublished sources, it traces an often forgotten history leading up to the Irish Literary Revival, and then follows that history to the present. The main chapters are each followed by shorter chapters, focusing on a single night at the theatre. Morash creates a remarkably clear picture of the cultural contexts which produced the playwrights who have been responsible for making Irish theatre's world-wide historical and contemporary reputation. Morash also deals with aspects of Irish theatre often ignored, including audiences, performance styles, architecture, management and other aspects of Irish theatrical culture. This book is an essential, entertaining and highly original guide to the history and performance of Irish theatre.
- Winner of the 2002 Theatre Book Award
- The only book available to trace Irish theatre from the seventeenth century to the present
- Well-illustrated
Reviews & endorsements
"Morash writes clearly and forcefully....This book will appeal to anyone who is interested in Irish history and culture, and to anyone who simply loves the theater." Choice
"valuable reading for anyone interested in drama in Ireland, but can also benefit the general reader who enjoys learning about Irish history and culture." Daily News, Bowling Green, Kentucky
"If the book achieved nothing else than evoking a persistent sense of theatricality over textuality, then it would have earned its place in the higher echelons of theatre scholarship. That it does so in such detail and across such a range of productions...makes the book required reading on any university course on theatre or Irish culture." - Paul Murphy, Queen's University Belfast
Product details
April 2004Paperback
9780521646826
344 pages
228 × 152 × 19 mm
0.456kg
20 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgements
- List of illustrations
- Introduction
- 1. Playing court:
- 1601–1692
- A night at the theatre 1: Pompey, Smock Alley, February 10, 1663
- 2. Stage rights, 1691–1782
- A night at the theatre 2: Mahomet, Smock Alley, March 2, 1754
- 3: 'Our National Theatre':
- 1782–1871
- A night at the theatre 3: She Stoops to Conquer and Tom Thumb, Theatre Royal, Hawkins Street, December 14, 1822
- 4: 'That Capricious Spirit':
- 1871–1904
- A night at the theatre 4: The Playboy of the Western World and Riders to the Sea, Abbey Theatre, January 29, 1907
- 5: 'Not understanding the clock':
- 1904–1921
- A night at the theatre 5: The Plough and the Stars, Abbey Theatre, February 11, 1926
- 6: Aftermath:
- 1922–1951
- A night at the theatre 6: Waiting for Godot, Pike Theatre, October 28, 1955
- 7: Phoenix flames:
- 1951–1972
- A night at the theatre 7: Translations, Guildhall, Derry, September 23, 1980
- A night at the theatre 8: Babel:
- 1972–2000
- A millennial flourish: conclusions
- Chronology.
