Theatre in the Victorian Age

by Michael R. Booth

This book examines all major aspects of theater practice and dramatic literature of the Victorian period. Michael Booth's comprehensive survey explores the social and cultural context of the theater including theater management, the audience, architecture and production methods, acting and the job of the actor, as well as the drama itself. Within this framework, Booth discusses such topics as the effect on theater of population growth and the spread of the railway system, the typical organization of a Victorian theater company, the contribution to theater of several important actor-managers, the use of stage machinery and lighting instruments, and the stock company and rehearsal system. The volume also includes a chapter on sources, numerous previously unpublished illustrations, and a chronology. The result is a lively and informative account of the diversity, energy, and color of the Victorian stage, the whole period comprising one of the most fascinating and vigorous eras in the history of the English theater.

Genres: Theatre

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 26, 1991

Reviews

[Peter]

The Victorians are endlessly fascinating to me. Among Victorian writers Charles Dickens is my favourite. It was only a matter of time, therefore, before I stumbled onto Michael Booth’s study the Victorian theatre. If only I had come across Booth’s book before meeting the Crummles theatre troupe in Nicholas Nickleby or the theatrical career of Wopsle in Great Expectations. There is, of course, Dickens’s own long and rich career as a writer, producer and performer on stage as well.

Booth’s text is effectively separated into various areas of the theatre such as “Theatre and society” “Management” and “playhouse and production.” Each chapter is comprehensive without being too esoteric, and each chapter is complete with illustrations. At the back of the book is a comprehensive list of sources should a reader like to further investigate and learn about any specific area of the Victorian Theatre.

For anyone who wants to learn about or supplement their knowledge of Victorian theatre this is an excellent source.

[Cameron Greenberg]

Read this for a presentation I did on Victorian theater and it was super interesting!!