Playing and Playgoing in Early Modern England: Actor, Audience and Performance

This edited collection of essays explores the study of playing and playgoing in early modern England, focusing on the player-playgoer exchange as a site of dramatic meaning-making. It advances the critical conversation on the interactions between players, play-texts, performance spaces, and playgoers, offering a new account of early modern drama and performance that sets the agenda for future research.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 306 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This edited collection of essays, brought together by esteemed scholars in the field of early modern drama and playhouse culture, delves into the profound exploration of playing and playgoing in early modern England. With a keen focus on the player-playgoer exchange as a vital realm of dramatic meaning-making, this book emerges as a timely and significant critical intervention in the study of Shakespeare and early modern drama. Drawing upon a diverse range of approaches, including literary scholarship, theatre history, and performance studies, the volume aims to advance the critical discourse on the intricate interactions between players, play-texts, performance spaces, the bodily, sensory, and material experiences of the playhouse, and the diverse responses and engagements of playgoers. By employing alternative methodological and theoretical frameworks, the volume uncovers previously undiscovered evidence and poses fresh questions that challenge long-held assumptions about early modern drama and performance. In doing so, it offers a groundbreaking account of early modern drama and performance that sets the stage for future research and scholarship.

Introduction:
The study of playing and playgoing in early modern England has garnered increasing attention in recent years, as scholars seek to understand the complex dynamics that shaped theatrical performances and audience experiences. This edited collection of essays, assembled by esteemed scholars in the field, offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of this topic.

Player-Playgoer Exchange as a Site of Dramatic Meaning-Making:
The central theme of this collection revolves around the player-playgoer exchange as a critical site for the creation and interpretation of dramatic meaning. The essays explore how players, whether actors, musicians, or technicians, interact with the audience, shaping the unfolding of the play and influencing their responses. Through their performances, players not only convey the textual meanings of the play but also engage with the spectators on a personal and emotional level, creating a dynamic and immersive theatrical experience.

Literary Scholarship, Theatre History, and Performance Studies:
The contributors to this collection draw upon a rich tapestry of methodologies and theoretical frameworks, including literary scholarship, theatre history, and performance studies. They employ a multidisciplinary approach, combining insights from various fields to shed light on the complexities of early modern drama and performance. By integrating textual analysis, historical research, and performance studies, the essays offer a multi-faceted understanding of the plays and their theatrical contexts.

Alternative Methodological and Theoretical Approaches:
One of the distinguishing features of this collection is its commitment to exploring alternative methodological and theoretical approaches. The essays challenge traditional methods of analysis and offer fresh perspectives on the plays and their performances. They employ a range of methods, such as close reading, performance analysis, and audience research, to unravel the intricate layers of meaning and interpretation embedded within the plays.

Uncovering Previously Unknown or Overlooked Evidence:
Through their research, the contributors to this collection uncover previously unknown or overlooked evidence that sheds new light on the plays and their theatrical contexts. They engage with a wide range of primary sources, including play texts, theatre archives, and visual materials, to provide a rich and detailed account of early modern drama and performance.

Fresh Questions Asked of Long-Familiar Materials:
The essays also pose fresh questions that challenge long-held assumptions about the plays and their performances. They encourage readers to re-examine familiar materials and consider new interpretive frameworks that shed light on the complexities and nuances of early modern drama. By challenging established narratives and exploring alternative perspectives, the collection fosters a deeper understanding of the plays and their enduring relevance.

Setting the Agenda for Future Research and Scholarship:
The ultimate goal of this collection is to set the agenda for future research and scholarship in the field of early modern drama and playhouse culture. By presenting a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective, the volume provides a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike. It encourages further exploration of the player-playgoer exchange, the materiality of the playhouse, and the sensory and bodily experiences of the audience, as well as the broader cultural and social contexts in which early modern drama unfolded.

In conclusion, this edited collection of essays is a groundbreaking contribution to the study of early modern drama and playhouse culture. Through its exploration of the player-playgoer exchange as a site of dramatic meaning-making, its multidisciplinary approach, and its commitment to alternative methodological and theoretical approaches, the volume offers a rich and nuanced account of early modern drama and performance. It sets the stage for future research and scholarship and encourages readers to engage with the plays and their theatrical contexts in new and exciting ways.

ISBN-13: 9781108733328