Skip to content
Register Sign in Wishlist

The Profession of the Playwright
British Theatre, 1800–1900

$41.99 (C)

  • Date Published: December 2006
  • availability: Available
  • format: Paperback
  • isbn: 9780521034432

$ 41.99 (C)
Paperback

Add to cart Add to wishlist

Other available formats:
Hardback, eBook


Looking for an examination copy?

This title is not currently available for examination. However, if you are interested in the title for your course we can consider offering an examination copy. To register your interest please contact collegesales@cambridge.org providing details of the course you are teaching.

Description
Product filter button
Description
Contents
Resources
Courses
About the Authors
  • This is the first book to examine the working world of the playwright in nineteenth-century Britain. It was often a risky and financially uncertain profession, yet the magic of the theater attracted authors from widely different backgrounds--journalists, lawyers, churchmen, civil servants, printers, and actors, as well as prominent poets and novelists. In a fascinating account of the frustrations and the rewards of dramatic authorship, Stephens uncovers fresh information on the playwright's earnings, relationships with actors, managers, publishers, and audience, and offers a new perspective on his growing status as a professional. Further chapters focus on the struggle for copyright reform and the complexities of dramatic publishing. A large number of major and minor authors are discussed, among them Planché, Fitzball, Boucicault, Pinero, Grundy, Gilbert, Jones, and Shaw.

    • Examines the working world of the playwright
    • Includes information on professional status of playwright, earnings, relationships with actors, managers and publishers
    Read more

    Reviews & endorsements

    "Stephens's scholarship is outstanding, and his style is urbane and witty. His book is a delight to read." Albion

    "From its lucid introduction to its excellent indexes, this is a fine addition to literary scholarship and history." Magill's Literary Annual

    "...Stephens has produced another will-researched, well-sritten book on the Victorian stage." John W. Stedman, Victorian Periodicals Review

    See more reviews

    Customer reviews

    Not yet reviewed

    Be the first to review

    Review was not posted due to profanity

    ×

    , create a review

    (If you're not , sign out)

    Please enter the right captcha value
    Please enter a star rating.
    Your review must be a minimum of 12 words.

    How do you rate this item?

    ×

    Product details

    • Date Published: December 2006
    • format: Paperback
    • isbn: 9780521034432
    • length: 276 pages
    • dimensions: 215 x 138 x 16 mm
    • weight: 0.353kg
    • availability: Available
  • Table of Contents

    Preface
    Acknowledgements
    List of abbreviations
    1. The smell of lamps and orange peel
    2. 'A devil of a trade'
    3. The profit-sharing revolution
    4. Piracy and the defence of dramatic property
    5. Booksellers and dramatic publishing
    6. From wings to centre stage
    7. The new professionals
    Appendixes
    Notes
    Bibliography
    Index of plays and playwrights
    General index.

  • Author

    John Russell Stephens

Related Books

also by this author

Sorry, this resource is locked

Please register or sign in to request access. If you are having problems accessing these resources please email lecturers@cambridge.org

Register Sign in
Please note that this file is password protected. You will be asked to input your password on the next screen.

» Proceed

You are now leaving the Cambridge University Press website. Your eBook purchase and download will be completed by our partner www.ebooks.com. Please see the permission section of the www.ebooks.com catalogue page for details of the print & copy limits on our eBooks.

Continue ×

Continue ×

Continue ×
warning icon

Turn stock notifications on?

You must be signed in to your Cambridge account to turn product stock notifications on or off.

Sign in Create a Cambridge account arrow icon
×

Find content that relates to you

Join us online

This site uses cookies to improve your experience. Read more Close

Are you sure you want to delete your account?

This cannot be undone.

Cancel

Thank you for your feedback which will help us improve our service.

If you requested a response, we will make sure to get back to you shortly.

×
Please fill in the required fields in your feedback submission.
×