Modern British Drama – The Twentieth Century

Title: Modern British Drama - The Twentieth Century
Author: Innes, Christopher
Price: $70.95

A revised and updated version of Modern British Drama, 1890-1990, now covering the whole twentieth century, this was the first one-volume analysis of English playwriting to cover the most exciting and productive period in British Theatre from its inception to today. Through detailed discussions of major dramatists and plays, Innes traces the evolution of modernism from Bernard Shaw to Patrick Marber and Sarah Kane, and theatrical developments over the whole century. Includes information on the social and political environment surrounding the plays, first productions, and critical reception, plus chronology, illustrations from key performances, lists of playwrights and works, and selective bibliographies. An invaluable guide for students, theatre-goers and theatre historians.

REVIEW
From the first edition of Modern British Drama:
'... any student wishing to survey the field will find the work invaluable.' Forum for Modern Language Studies

'Christopher Innes' study provides the most valuable and extensive coverage that there has been on the subject in one volume. For teachers and students alike this work will become an essential handbook for the hundred years of British drama it covers ... In short, the book is a triumph and a major contribution.' Modern Language Review


CONTENTS
List of illustrations;
Acknowledgements;
Chronology;

1. Contexts;

2. Defining modernism: George Bernard Shaw;

3. Social themes and realistic formulae
[playwrights discussed include: Granville-Barker, Workers' Theatre Movement; Rattigan; Osborne; Wesker; Brechtian influences; Arden; Bond; Edgar; Brenton; Hare; Gems];

4. The comic mirror - tradition and innovation
[playwrights discussed include: Maugham; Coward; Travers; Orton; Beckett; Pinter; Barnes; Griffiths; Ayckbourn; Frayn; Stoppard; Marber];

5. Poetic drama - verse, fantasy and symbolic images
[playwrights discussed include: Barrie; Priestley; Auden; Isherwood; Eliot; Fry; Shaffer; Whiting; Rudkin; Barker; Churchill; Kane; McBurney];

Bibliographies;
Index.


AUTHOR
Christopher Innes is one of the leading experts in the field of modern British drama studies and he has written and published extensively in this and related areas. His books include Piscator's Political Theatre, Modern German Drama, Holy Theatre, Edward Gordon Craig, Avant Garde Theatre: 1892-1992, and A Sourcebook on Naturalistic Theatre, as well as Modern British Drama: 1890-1990. Professor Innes also serves as the General Editor for the Cambridge University Press series Directors in Perspective, and holds the Canada Research Chair in Performance and Culture.

Publication date: 28/11/2002
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780521016759
Publishing status: Last copy available