The Cambridge Introduction to Theatre Historiography by Thomas Postlewait

The Cambridge Introduction to Theatre Historiography by Thomas Postlewait

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Summary

Ideal for both students and teachers of theatre history, this Introduction provides a detailed analysis of the methods and challenges of historical research in the performing arts. An indispensable 'how to' guide, it covers all the essential areas, including archival research, developing historical descriptions, and writing reports and narratives.

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The Cambridge Introduction to Theatre Historiography by Thomas Postlewait

This Introduction - an indispensable 'how to' guide for students and teachers alike - investigates the methods and aims of historical study in the performing arts, from archival research to historical writing. Beginning with case studies on Shakespearean theatre and avant-garde theatre, this study examines fundamental procedures and problems in documentary history and cultural history. It demonstrates how historians not only construct various kinds of performance events but also place them in relation to the historical agents, the political and social conditions, artistic traditions, audience responses, and historical periods. Drawing upon scholarship in classics, literary studies, art history, performance studies, and general history, Postlewait shows how to ask appropriate historical questions, construct evidence, use plays as historical documents, eliminate faulty sources, challenge unreliable witnesses, and develop historical arguments and narratives. The book concludes with a survey of the 'twelve cruxes' of research, analysis, and writing in theatre history.
Thomas Postlewait is Professor of Drama at the University of Washington.
SKU Unavailable
ISBN 13 9780521499170
ISBN 10 0521499178
Title The Cambridge Introduction to Theatre Historiography
Author Thomas Postlewait
Series Cambridge Introductions To Literature
Condition Unavailable
Binding Type Paperback
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Year published 2009-04-30
Number of pages 360
Prizes Short-listed for Theatre Book Prize 2009
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.