Originally published in 2005, this book provides a detailed study of the Children of the Queen's Revels, the most enduring and influential of the Jacobean children's companies. Between 1603 and 1613 the Queen's Revels staged plays by Francis Beaumont, George Chapman, John Fletcher, Ben Jonson, John Marston and Thomas Middleton, all of whom were at their most innovative when writing for this company. Combining theatre history and critical analysis, this study provides a history of the Children of the Queen's Revels, and an account of their repertory. It examines the 'biography' of the company - demonstrating the involvement in dramatic production of dramatists, shareholders, patrons, audiences and actors alike, and reappraising issues such as management, performance style and audience composition - before exploring their groundbreaking practices in comedy, tragicomedy and tragedy. The book also includes five documentary appendices detailing the plays, people and performances of the Queen's Revels Company.
• Was the first book-length study of the Children of the Queen's Revels • Combines documentary history and critical analysis • Provides a perspective on the work of major dramatists including Francis Beaumont, George Chapman, John Fletcher, Ben Jonson, John Marston and Thomas Middleton
Contents
Introduction; 1. Raiding the nest: the children of the Queen's Revels and their plays; 2. 'Proper Gallants Words': comedy and the theatre audience; 3. 'Grief and Joy so Suddenly Commixt': company politics and the development of tragicomedy; 4. 'Ieronimo in Decimosexto': tragedy and the text; Conclusion; Appendix A. The repertory (summary); Appendix B. The Repertory (data and analysis); Appendix C. Biographical summary; Appendix D. Actor lists; Appendix E. Court and touring performances.
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