Scholars, amateur historians and actors have shaped theatre history in different ways at different times and in different places. This Companion offers students and general readers a series of accessible and engaging essays on the key aspects of studying and writing theatre history. The diverse international team of contributors investigates how theatre history has been constructed, showing how historical facts are tied to political and artistic agendas and explaining why history matters to us. Beginning with an introduction to the central narrative that traditionally informs our understanding of what theatre is, the book then turns to alternative points of view – from other parts of the world and from the perspective of performers in fields such as music-theatre and circus. It concludes by looking at how history is written in the 'democratic' age of the Internet and offers a new perspective on theatre history in our globalised world.
• Offers a commentary on the writing of theatre history with an accessible twenty-first-century approach that does not assume specific areas of prior knowledge but does not dumb down the subject • Balances global and mainstream perspectives and will make sense to those engaged with interculturalism and globalisation - issues that may be seen as currently prevailing in the theatre and performance studies world • Explains why theatre history matters and will appeal to those drawn to argument and debate
Contents
Introduction: why?; 1. Why theatre history? David Wiles; Part I. When?: Indicative Timeline: 2. Modernist theatre Stefan Hulfeld; 3. Baroque to romantic theatre Christopher Baugh; 4. Medieval, renaissance and early modern theatre David Wiles; 5. Classical theatre Erika Fischer-Lichte; Part II. Where?: 6. Liverpool Ros Merkin; 7. Finland S. E. Wilmer; 8. Egypt Hazem Azmy; 9. Traditional theatre: the case of Japanese Noh Diego Pellecchia; 10. Reflections on a global theatre history Marvin Carlson; Part III. What?: 11. The audience Willmar Sauter; 12. The art of acting Josette Féral; 13. Music theatre and musical theatre Zachary Dunbar; 14. Circus Marius Kwint; Part IV. How?: 15. The nature of historical evidence: a case study Thomas Postlewait; 16. The visual record: the case of Hamlet Barbara Hodgdon; 17. Museums, archives and collecting Fiona Macintosh; 18. Re:enactment Gilli Bush-Bailey; 19. The internet: history 2.0? Jacky Bratton and Grant Tyler Peterson.
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