The First English Actresses by Elizabeth Howe
Before the Restoration of Charles II there were no professional actresses on the English stage, and female roles had almost always been played by men. This book describes how and why women were permitted to act on the public stage after 1660, and the consequences of their arrival for the drama of the period. Elizabeth Howe opens up a fascinating subject to non-specialists. Beginning with a general account of the workings of Restoration theatre, she goes on to explain the advent of the actresses and how they were treated. Perceived predominantly as sex objects, the actresses' sexuality was variously exploited in ways that had important consequences for drama. The book addresses questions that are relevant to women's issues in every period: how far did the advent of real women players alter dramatic portrayals of women? Did this encourage more or less equality between the sexes? Although in one sense merely playthings for a small male elite, the pioneering actresses also represent a distinct female voice in society and a fresh place in discourse.
"..packed with new information on women involved in drama of the times, from analysis of theatre objectives and performance technicalities to consideration of how actresses were treated by companies and society during the times." The Midwest Book Review
"...a detailed, meticulous study, which will be of interest to the specialist as well as the general reader....presents an enormous amount of information and will almost certainly provide the impetus for future studies." Elizabeth D. Harvey, Renaissance Quarterly
"...a detailed, meticulous study, which will be of interest to the specialist as well as the general reader....presents an enormous amount of information and will almost certainly provide the impetus for future studies." Elizabeth D. Harvey, Renaissance Quarterly
Howe, Elizabeth: - Elizabeth Howe is Head of Maths and Numeracy at St Monica's Collete, Epping, a large Catholic school in Melbourne's north. She has presented booked-out sessions at the MAV Annual conference as well as publishing works for the MAV and for Learning Matters. Under her guidance, St Monica's received the State Numeracy Award in 2004, the only secondary school to receive the award.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780521422109 |
| ISBN 10 | 0521422108 |
| Title | The First English Actresses |
| Author | Elizabeth Howe |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| Year published | 1992-06-04 |
| Number of pages | 244 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |