J.B. Priestley
Published on 3. March 2008
224 pages
978-1-134-14305-4 (ISBN)
Description
J. B. Priestley is the first book to provide a detailed and up to date analysis of the enormous contribution made by this playwright, novelist, journalist and critic to twentieth century British theatre.
Priestley was often criticised for being either too populist or too experimental and this study unpicks the contradictions of a playwright and theatre theorist popular with audiences but too often dismissed by critics; describing and analysing in detail not only his plays but also their specific historical and contemporary productions.
Using a combination of archive, review and critical materials, the book re-locates Priestley as a theatre theorist of substance as well as a playwright who challenged theatre conventions and assumptions about audience expectations, at a time when theatre was considered both conservative and lacking in innovation.
Priestley was often criticised for being either too populist or too experimental and this study unpicks the contradictions of a playwright and theatre theorist popular with audiences but too often dismissed by critics; describing and analysing in detail not only his plays but also their specific historical and contemporary productions.
Using a combination of archive, review and critical materials, the book re-locates Priestley as a theatre theorist of substance as well as a playwright who challenged theatre conventions and assumptions about audience expectations, at a time when theatre was considered both conservative and lacking in innovation.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
14 s/w Photographien bzw. Rasterbilder
14 Halftones, black and white
File size
1,47 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-134-14305-4 (9781134143054)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Maggie Gale is joint Series Editor for Routledge Modern and Contemporary Dramatists, and Chair in Drama at the Univeristy of Manchester. She has published extensively on British inter-war theatre and has one previous Routledge publication: West End Women: Women and the London Stage 1918-1962.
Content
Section I: Life, Politics and Theory Chapter 1: Life Career and Politics Chapter 2: The Function and Practice of Theatre: visions, theories and critical responses Section II: Key Plays Chapter 3: The Family, Gender and Sexual Relations Chapter 4: Time and the Time Plays Chapter 5: Work and Visions of Dystopia/Utopia Section III: Key Plays/Productions Chapter 6: The Good Companions Chapter 7: An Inspector Calls Chapter 8: Johnson Over Jordan
