Pirandello:Six Characters in Search of an Author
Pirandello:<I>Six Characters in Search of an Author</I>
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USDSince its explosive premiere in Rome in 1921, Six Characters in Search of an Author has gained worldwide recognition. Pirandello's challenge to the very notion of stage representation was taken up by the leading directors of the time. The playwright incorporated details from the early performances into his revised text, which he directed himself in 1925. Jennifer Lorch examines the two texts in the context of different theatrical traditions and traces Pirandello's growing awareness of the development of advanced theatrical facilities outside Italy. She also offers an analysis of selected productions of the play in Italy, England, France, the USA, Germany and Russia in both commercial and avant-garde theatres. This comprehensive study includes a production chronology, bibliography and illustrations from major productions.
- An analysis of key productions of Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author
- Focuses on detailed comparative study of the 1921 and 1925 texts in performance
- Illustrated with 12 photographs of major productions, some of which are published here for the first time
Reviews & endorsements
'Jennifer Lorch's splendid book, which recounts both Pirandello's own rewriting and the readings of the play made by directors in succeeding decades, is boldly dynamic in scope and intention, and constitutes not merely a history of productions but a pursuit, a recherche, into the very process of creation. … Lorch is superb on the inner history of rewriting and on the outer story of Italian and international productions. … Jennifer Lorch's researches have been exhaustive. … It is written in a sprightly style which allows her to carry her learning lightly, but it rests on extensive research and on delicately balanced judgements. This is a considerable achievement, and an enhancement of our knowledge of Pirandello.' Pirandello Studies
Product details
December 2004Paperback
9780521646185
272 pages
216 × 140 × 15 mm
0.32kg
12 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. The Play
- 2. The first production (1921)
- 3. Two early productions in London and New York (1922)
- 4. Pitoëff's production in Paris (1923)
- 5. Reinhardt's production in Berlin (1924)
- 6. Pirandello's production of the 1925 text (1925)
- 7. Six Characters on the Italian stage (1936–93)
- 8. Two English productions (1929 and 1963)
- 9. Becoming part of national theatre in France and England
- 10. Making Six Characters accessible: Robert Brustein and Richard Jones
- 11. Pushing at the frontiers of theatre: Grüber and Vasiliev
- 12. A brief look at Six Characters in other media
- Conclusion
- Select production chronology
- Bibliography
- Index.
