A Concise History of the Theatre

London: Thames and Hudson., 1978 On back cover: Miss Hartnoll has written a history of the theatre in the widest sense, embracing not only acting, direction, stage craft, theatre architecture and design, but also the whole evolution of dramatic literature. Beginning with the ancient origins of the theatre in the choral hymns sung round the altar of Dionysus, she then moves to the first great age of the theatre - fifth-century Athens - then on to the Roman theatre, the medieval bible-histories, the Renaissance theatre and opera-house (which gave us the proscenium stage and stage scenery), the Elizabethan theatre and the golden ages of Spanish and French drama. Her survey continues with the theatre of the English Restoration period, eighteenth-century Germany, pre-revolutionary France, North America, the nineteenth century, and finally the bewildering variety of forms which the theatre has taken in our own age - among them theatre in the round, and the theatres of the Absurd, of Cruelty and of Fact. The book is illustrated by a wealth of fascinating material drawn from all over the world, much of which will be new to most readers. ------------------------------------------ 288 pages with 262 plates, 34 in colour. Index. Previous owner's name appears on title page. Pen scribble on flyleaf. ---------- Orders of $100.00 or more are shipped using tracked courier delivery services. Size: Approx 5½" Wide - 8½" Tall