The theatre and drama of the late Georgian period have been the focus of a number of recent studies, but such work has tended to ignore its social and political contexts. Theatric Revolution redresses the balance by considering the role of stage censorship during the Romantic period, an era otherwise associated with the freedom of expression. Looking beyond the Royal theatres at Covent Garden and Drury Lane which have dominated most recent accounts of theperiod, this book examines the day-to-day workings of the Lord Chamberlain's Examiner of Plays and shows that radicalized groups of individuals continuously sought ways to evade the suppression of both playhouses and dramatic texts.Incorporating a wealth of new research, David Worrall reveals the centrality of theatre within busy networks of print culture, politics of all casts, elite and popular cultures, and metropolitan and provincial audiences. Ranging from the drawing room of Queen Caroline's private theatrical to the song-and-supper dens of Soho and radical free and easies, Theatric Revolution deals with the complex vitality of Romantic theatrical culture, and its intense politicization at all levels. Thisfascinating new study will be of great value to cultural historians, as well as to literary and theatre scholars.
Format:
CONTRIBUTORS: David Worrall
EAN: 9780199276752
COUNTRY: United Kingdom
PAGES:
WEIGHT: 632 g
HEIGHT: 223 cm
PUBLISHED BY: Oxford University Press
DATE PUBLISHED: 2006-05-18
CITY:
GENRE: LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / General, LITERARY CRITICISM / European / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, LITERARY CRITICISM / Drama, PERFORMING ARTS / Theater / General
WIDTH: 146 cm
SPINE:
Book Themes:
18th century, c 1700 to c 1799, 19th century, c 1800 to c 1899, Literary studies: c 1600 to c 1800, Literary studies: c 1800 to c 1900, Literary studies: plays and playwrights, Ethical issues and debates
Worrall's case studies argue that Georgian politics were envisioned in theatrical terms, and conducted through theatrical forms, and illuminates an age repeatedly gusted by hope, fear and contradiction., compelling research into primary sources...Worrall has unearthed some fascinating material for theatre historians., Worrall's case studies argue that Georgian politics were envisioned in theatrical terms, and conducted through theatrical forms, and illuminates an age repeatedly gusted by hope, fear and contradiction., Worrall takes us on a dazzling journey ... His research is thorough and wide-ranging, relying almost entirely on primary sources ... Much new ground is broken here., theatrical microhistories are deeply researched and sparkle with insight, and historians and literary scholars alike will find them fascinating
David Worrall is Professor of English Literature at The Nottingham Trent University.
