Fictions of Presence: Theatre and Novel in Eighteenth-Century Britain

The relationship between the novel and the theatre was one of intense creativity and productivity, with novelists sending their heroes to the theatre, dramatists appropriating the plots of popular novels, and celebrities advanced through guest appearances in printed prose fictions. Fictions of Presence describes how major authors of the period spanned both genres, charting the movement of popular fictional characters between stage and page and looking at the representation of contemporary audiences and readers in the new types of the (female) mimic and the (male) critic.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 340 pages
Publication date: 14 May 2024
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

The eighteenth century witnessed a fascinating interplay between plays and novels, as both mediums sought to embody the concept of presence. While the novel gained newfound respect and popularity, the English stage faced significant competition. However, this narrative is far from one of decline and rise, as Ros Ballaster demonstrates in her insightful and innovative study. The relationship between theater and literature was characterized by a vibrant and productive rivalry, where novelists sent their heroes to the stage, dramatists borrowed plots from popular novels, and actors' celebrity status was enhanced through guest appearances in printed prose fiction. Certain characters, such as Richardson's virtuous serving maid Pamela or Sterne's eccentric humorist Tristram Shandy, achieved such independent lives in the minds of the public that they seamlessly transitioned into the mainstream of popular culture.

Fictions of Presence delves into the works of prominent authors of the period, including Eliza Haywood, Henry Fielding, Charlotte Lennox, and Oliver Goldsmith, who straddled both genres. It charts the movement of popular fictional characters between stage and page, exploring the representation of contemporary audiences and readers in the new forms of the (female) mimic and the (male) critic. Crucially, Ballaster identifies the ground on which the two media competed: the ability to create a sense of presence in the minds of readers and theatergoers, a feeling of being present with the moment of action and finding oneself in fictional worlds. By doing so, she not only illuminates the shared history of theater and literature but also unveils the profound power of aesthetic experience.

In conclusion, Fictions of Presence offers a captivating exploration of the contested embodiment of presence in the plays and novels of the eighteenth century. Through its detailed analysis and innovative approach, Ballaster sheds light on the complex relationship between theater and literature, revealing the ways in which they influenced and shaped each other. This study not only enriches our understanding of the literary and theatrical traditions of the period but also highlights the enduring power of aesthetic experience to transport us to new worlds and evoke deep emotions.

Weight: 510g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781837651276