History of the Theatre

by Oscar Gross Brockett, Franklin J. Hildy

Having always been an integral part of the sociocultural fabric of our world's communities and civilizations, the theatre today remains an active and poignant institution. Understanding its deep roots and societal variations is the key to comprehending other cultures, our own culture, and common social themes. This book is a cultural resource for all -- from infrequent play-goers to theatre buffs, from aspiring actors to experienced professionals. Providing the most comprehensive chronological survey of the theatre's history as a sociocultural institution, this book is written by two of the most widely respected historians in the field. In this eighth edition of the bestseller, the authors retain all of the traditional features of the book while sharpening, updating and reinterpreting information. They address new revisionist scholarship and add new methodologies, plays and playwrights. Theatre novices or professionals, teachers of theatre, theatre history, history, or the arts, and others interested in the topic.

Genres: Theatre, Nonfiction, History, Drama, Reference, Plays

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1964

Reviews

[lu (peachairee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*read chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 15, 16, 23, and 24*

[Post Scriptum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Considerando che non si può racchiudere in un volume tutta la storia del teatro che va dall'antico Egitto fino agli esperimenti degli anni novanta, questo libro è un bel viaggio fra testi teatrali, vita degli attori, compagnie teatrali, scenografia, effetti speciali. Il tutto scritto con un linguaggio semplice e comprensibile. Non manca infine un buon elenco di indicazioni bibliografiche per approfondire.

[Selena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great reference but dull. Better than sleeping pills.

[Kristina 113kw Weiserová · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must have for a dramaturgy student. Doesn't matter if you want to be writer, movie or theatre director, you would get a great inspiration from this book.

[Giacomo Matelloni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completo, non manca nulla

[Lara~⁠✧⁠*⁠。 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for people who want to learn more about theatre.

[Sofia Fresia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Splendido trattato sulla storia del teatro, dal rito primitivo al quadro degli anni settanta in Europa e negli Stati Uniti. Non sono una lettrice di saggistica - e infatti vivo a pane e romanzi - ma questo volume mi ha fatto capire che se trovo la giusta combinazione tra argomento interessante e stile di scrittura con mordente, posso anche io appassionarmi a un saggio come se fosse un romanzo. Questo libro mi ha tolto tantissime curiosità e chiarito lacune concettuali e temporali, il tutto intrattenendomi come se stessi leggendo una storia. L'unica pecca è ovviamente il fatto che si tratta di un'edizione di inizio anni Novanta, con tutte le omissioni sul teatro contemporaneo che questo può comportare.

[AskHistorians]

Brockett is probably the most widely respected (certainly the most widely read) source on the topic of Theatre History. "An Introduction" focusses on theatre as a medium from which we can learn about the thoughts, passions, and ethics of the societies that produced the works. "History of the Theatre" is sometimes referred to as The Bible of Theatre History because it is the English-Speaking World's most common textbook on the subject. While being somewhat general in their nature, they feature world-wide coverage and provide a very valuable understanding of our theatrical past that any student can build upon.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another required reading textbook in an undergrad setting. Not as dry as some history texts, but VERY thorough in detail. Timelines, maps, etc are included. Each chapter ends with a section titled "Looking At Theatre History," a look at the theatre of that particular period through the eyes of a writer/historian of that era. Want to know who the Major actors of Europe and America were from 1800-1850? There's a graph for that.

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't believe 4 of my friends had already rated this book.... The agony and pain the memories bring...okay, yeah, but it's still on my bookshelf...good reference tool.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a great reference. Of course I didn't appreciate it in college, but I've used it several times since then and it ain't bad...

[Anino]

Hindi ko kailangan magkomento! Kailangan ko lang makahanap kung saan mabibili ang libro na ito. kembot?

[Irene Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very dense coverage of history in the theatre

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uni