Theatricality

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Tracy C. Davis, Thomas Postlewait, Tracy Cecile Davis
Cambridge University Press, 2003 - Drama - 243 pages
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This collection of specially-commissioned, accessible, essays explores that element of performance theory known as theatricality. Six case studies use historically specific circumstances to illustrate how and why the concept of theatricality was and is used. Topics discussed include early use of the term; employment of 'theatricality' by a number of other disciplines to describe events; non-Western interpretation of theatricality; and its use when discussing and analyzing political and cultural events and philosophies. The book provides a first-step guide for those discovering the complex yet rewarding world of performance theory.
 

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Contents

Theatricality an introduction
1
Performing miracles the mysterious mimesis of Valenciennes 1547
40
Theatricality in classical Chinese drama
65
Theatricality and antitheatricality in renaissance London
90
Theatricality and civil society
127
Defining political performance with Foucault and Habermas strategic and communicative action
156
Theatricalitys proper objects genealogies of performance and gender theory
186
List of works cited
214
Index
238
Copyright

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Theatricality
Tracy C. Davis,Thomas Postlewait
No preview available - 2004

Common terms and phrases

acting action activities actor aesthetic analysis antitheatrical appear applied argues argument attempt attitudes audience become behavior believe Butler called Carlyle century Chambers character Chinese claims codes communicative concept condition Confucian context create critical critique culture debate defined describes dialogue difference discourse distinction drama effect Elizabethan especially ethical example feelings feminist field gender human idea of theatricality identity imaginative important kind language live London matter means medieval metaphor mimesis miracle move music-drama nature operations opposition Passion performance perhaps person play political position possible practice present produce question realism refers relation religious renaissance representation resistance reveal rhetoric role scholars seems sense serve sexual signs social society specific spectacle spectators stage studies suggest theatre theatrum theoretical theory things tion Tou Ngo tradition true truth understanding Valenciennes various women

References to this book

About the author (2003)

Tracy C. Davis is Barber Professor of the Performing Arts at Northwestern University. She is author of Actresses as Working Women: Their Social Identity in Victorian Culture, George Bernard Shaw and the Socialist Theatre, and The Economics of the British Stage, 1800-1914 and general editor of the Cambridge series Theatre and Performance Theory.

Thomas Postlewait is Professor of theatre history at Ohio State University. He contributed to the Cambridge History of American Theatre, vol. two, and is the editor of the book series Studies in Theatre History and Culture with University of Iowa Press.

Bibliographic information

QR code for Theatricality
TitleTheatricality
Theatre and Performance Theory
EditorsTracy C. Davis, Thomas Postlewait, Tracy Cecile Davis
Editionillustrated
PublisherCambridge University Press, 2003
ISBN0521012074, 9780521012072
Length243 pages
Subjects ›  › 

Drama / General
Performing Arts / Theater / General
  
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