Notre Dame London: Fischer Hall Library

Twentieth-century British theatre : industry, art and empire /

Cochrane, Claire.

Twentieth-century British theatre : industry, art and empire / Claire Cochrane. - Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2011. - x, 353 p. ; 24 cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

The topography of theatre in 1900 -- Structures of management -- The profession of acting -- The amateur phenomenon -- The topography of theatre in 1950 -- The business of theatre -- The changing demographic of performance -- The topography of theatre in 2000.

"Claire Cochrane maps the experience of theatre across the British Isles during the twentieth century through the social and economic factors which shaped it. Three topographies for 1900, 1950 and 2000 survey the complex plurality of theatre within the nation-state which, at the beginning of the century, was at the hub of world-wide imperial interests, and after 100 years had seen unprecedented demographic, economic and industrial change. Cochrane analyses the dominance of London theatre, but redresses the balance in favour of the hitherto marginalised majority experience in the English regions and the other component nations of the British political construct. Developments arising from demographic change are outlined, especially those relating to the rapid expansion of migrant communities representing multiple ethnicities. Presenting fresh historiographic perspectives on twentieth-century British theatre, the book breaks down the traditionally accepted binary oppositions between different sectors, showing a broader spectrum of theatre practice."--p. [4] of cover.

9780521464888 0521464889

2011278040

015841438 Uk


Theater--History--Great Britain--20th century.

PN 2595 / .C56 2011