English Theatrical Anecdotes, 1660-1800

The essays in English Theatrical Anecdotes, 1660-1800 explore the role of anecdotes in constructing stage fame and the challenges of employing them in theatre scholarship today, highlighting their significance in the long eighteenth century and beyond.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 17 June 2022
Publisher: Associated University Presses

The essays in "English Theatrical Anecdotes, 1660-1800" delve into the significance of theatrical anecdotes in shaping stage fame during England's emerging celebrity culture during the long eighteenth century, as well as the complexities of utilizing such anecdotes in contemporary theatre scholarship. This collection presents a diverse range of scholarship that challenges the conventional notion of the theatrical anecdote, revealing its multifaceted nature and diverse applications beyond mere comedic effect. By exploring anecdotal narratives about theatre individuals, the book delves into the mechanisms of celebrity in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, blurring the lines between public and private and fictionalizing individuals in ways reminiscent of contemporary celebrity culture. The anecdote plays a crucial role in shaping individual fame, transcending boundaries between the past and present and influencing the construction of celebrity identities that persist into the modern era.

Weight: 410g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781644532607