The Cambridge Companion to the Actress

by John Stokes, Maggie B. Gale (Editor)

This Companion brings together sixteen new essays which examine, from various perspectives, the social and cultural role of the actress throughout history and across continents. Each essay focuses on a particular stage in her development, for example professionalism in the seventeenth century; the emergence of the actress/critic during the Romantic period and, later on, of the actress as best selling autobiographer; the coming of the drama schools which led to today's emphasis on the actress as a highly-trained working woman. Chapters consider the image of the actress as a courtesan, as a 'muse', as a representative of the 'ordinary' housewife, and as a political activist. The collection also contains essays on forms, genres and traditions - on cross dressing, solo performance, racial constraints, and recent Shakespeare - as well as on the actress in early photography and on film. Its unique range will fascinate, surprise and instruct theatre-goers and students alike.

364 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2007

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed a copy of this from the library and read it in a day. I made so many notes from so many chapters I decided to buy myself a copy as it was such a fantastic book full of so much useful information. It was a series of essays that looked at mostly 19th and 20th century theatre, but also a couple that looked earlier. The essays addressed many different aspects of the actresses lives, professional, biographical, business, photographic, relationships with fans etc. It also covered political activism of actresses, and unions which was particularly interesting and relevant to my current research. As it is designed for students each section has not only a cited sources bibliography but also suggestions for further reading. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

[Sharice · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not an area that I knew much about before reading this book but found it at work as an e-book, designed to be read by drama students I presume. I thought that this was interesting, especially the sections on actresses in the days before the silver screen. I'd recommend this to anyone interested in acting in general - not just to drama students.

[Michelle Scharlock]

Essays vary in this collection. Some are well researched, others need some reworking to say the least. All in all an interesting read.