Traversing 400 years of drama, this book examines the history play as a distinctive form that has its origins in the Early Modern period and which evolves in each subsequent period according to the segment of history being dramatized and the changing conceptions of the state.Much has been written on Shakespeare's history plays but very little on the overall form and whether it is distinguished by the historical accuracy of the drama, the relationship with the audie...

This volume examines the unique form of postcolonial Ghanaian theatre Anansegoro, ranging from its 1960s origins to its new significance as an example of the intersection between performance, intangible cultural heritage and copyright law.Developed in the 1960s by Efua Sutherland and her collaborators as a new theatre for a newly independent nation, Anansegoro draws directly from the precolonial form of village storytelling, Anansesem(stories about Ananse,...

What does 'performance theory' really mean and why has it become so important across such a large number of disciplines, from art history to religious studies and architecture to geography? In this introduction Simon Shepherd explains the origins of performance theory, defines the terms and practices within the field and provides new insights into performance's wide range of definitions and uses. Offering an overview of the key figures, their theories and their impact, Shepherd provides a ...

What were the origins of commedia dell'arte and how did it evolve as a dramatic form over time and as it spread from Italy? How did its relationship to the ruling ideology of the day change during the Enlightenment? What is its legacy today?These are just some of the questions addressed in this authoritative overview of the dramatic, ideological and aesthetic form of commedia dell'arte. The book's 3 sections examine the changing role of performers and playwrights, improvisatory sce...

Now in its 4th edition, this is an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the critical study of drama. Using familiar examples of classic and contemporary works such as Shakespeare's King Lear, Ibsen's A Doll's House and Timberlake Wertenbaker's Our Country's Good, the book explores the essential elements of play texts, from character, dialogue and plot to theatrical space.With more in depth guidance on how to study plays in and as performance, both...

This volume provides an accessible overview of the history of kabuki, Japan's 'music-dance-drama'. It traces the development of the form from its ribald, burlesque beginnings in the early 1600s, the creation of grand melodramas in the 1700s, through to 21st century experimental fusions with pop culture, and examines six popular works drawn from the 18th-20th centuries.Along the way, it examines the development of star-driven commercial theater with blockbuster play...

An accessible and authoritative compendium of key concepts in acting, this book reveals how the craft has been understood by the world's leading practitioners and theorists.What is 'truthful' acting? Am I 'freeing the voice' and being 'authentic' in my performance? The idioms of acting can both delight and confound. While enthusiastic theatregoers and aspiring actors may be attracted to studio slang, theorists and practitioners of the craft will argue fiercely over...

From its origins in the poetic tradition and its refinement in the southern salons of the 16th century, to its 18th**-century theatrical heyday and patriotic revival in modern times, this book introduces Kunqu and its enduring role in shaping cultural life. As China's classical musical and theatrical tradition, Kunqu is essential to understanding the country's artistic heritage.**The rich body of drama and poetry associated with Kunqu has often been studied indepen...

This is an accessible introduction to jingju (Beijing/Peking opera) which presents readers with an analysis of the different components of its aesthetic form in the context of its ongoing cultural history.It traces the history of jingju from its origin during the 1790s to its present-day status as one of the few theatrical forms to enjoy nation-wide popularity in China. In 2010, UNESCO placed it on the Representative List of the Intangible Heritag...

Authored by a leading exponent of the form, this book provides a clear guide to Kathakali, exploring its origin, evolution, and characteristics and the ways it has adapted for a 21st-century audience.Kathakali is an introduction to this vibrant mode of dance drama, which comes from Kerala in southwest India and combines poetry, music, rhythm, and dance to represent stories of gods, demons, and humans. Originating in the latter part of the 16th century, tod...

This volume provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the rich traditions of noh, classical Japanese dance-drama.Drawing from specialized scholarship in English and in Japanese, it takes an accessible approach useful for a range of readers, including students and researchers of Japanese culture and performing arts, as well as theatre practitioners.The introduction provides an overview, describing noh from the point of view of both the audience an...

Drawing on more than 4 decades of experience working in Nautanki as a writer, director, singer, and actor, Sharma's book is the first major study to analyse Nautanki not only through its literary bases, but also through live performances, considering it both in a historical vein and as contemporary theatre on the ground.What entertained India's masses and elites before the arrival of cinema in India? When did “modern” theatre begin in India and how did Nautanki con...