Shakespeare and the Making of Theatre

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

A highly engaging text that approaches Shakespeare as a maker of theatre, as well as a writer of literature. Leading performance critics dismantle Shakespeare's texts, identifying theatrical cues in ways which develop understanding of the underlying theatricality of Shakespeare's plays and stimulate further performances.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Twelve contributed essays and an afterword by John Russell Brown add up to a remarkably coherent and useful treatment of multiple aspects of theater art in Shakespeare's plays and specific productions. After a murky preface and opening chapter, the writing becomes more reader-friendly and loaded with insights to reward both theater practitioners and Shakespeare scholars. Hampton-Reeves (Univ. of Central Lancashire, UK) and Escolme (Queen Mary, Univ. of London) unerringly match contributors with topics as well as contribute their own outstanding essays, "Fighting" and "Costuming," respectively. Many essays touch upon "original practices" as a hot topic in British Shakespeare production. Most draw examples from multiple productions of two or more plays to illuminate the practical or innovative choices in staging. Of particular interest are essays by Peter Holland, "Openings"; Rob Conkie, "Entrances and Exits"; Paul Prescott, "Endings"; Christie Carson, "Visual Scores"; Farah Karim-Cooper, "Props"; and Robert Shaughnessy, "Silence." All of the contributors are apparently avid theatergoers with elevated powers of observation and analysis. Seven photographs, an excellent bibliography, and separate indexes to the plays and productions enhance the book's appeal for a range of audiences. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers, all levels of students, and practitioners. F. H. Londre University of Missouri-Kansas City