Staging Detection: From Hawkshaw to Holmes

Staging Detection explores the emergence of the stage detective in nineteenth-century Britain, highlighting their role in shaping theatrical modes from melodrama to society comedy. It follows the earliest performances of stage detectives through the works of playwrights, novelists, critics, and actors, shedding light on Victorian acting styles, melodrama, and the Wildean dandy. It also examines how these portrayals shaped broader Victorian debates on fraud, omniscience, and earned authority.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 162 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Staging Detection delves into the fascinating evolution of the stage detective in nineteenth-century Britain, shedding light on the intersections between detection and performance in various Victorian plays. Written by acclaimed scholar Dr. Jonathan Foyle, this groundbreaking book is the first to explore the rich tapestry of theatrical modes shaped by the stage detective, encompassing popular melodrama and society comedy.

Beginning in 1863 with Tom Taylor's iconic play, The Ticket-of-Leave Man, the book takes readers on a captivating journey through London, tracing the early performances of stage detectives. Through a comprehensive analysis of the work of playwrights, novelists, critics, and actors, including renowned figures such as Sarah Lane, Horace Wigan, Wilkie Collins, and Oscar Wilde, Staging Detection offers a fresh perspective on Victorian acting styles, deepens our understanding of melodrama, and reimagines the iconic Wildean dandy as a successor to the stage detective.

Drawing upon a wealth of historical sources, including histories of masculinity and gender performance, scientific theory, and nineteenth-century visual culture, Staging Detection reveals how the earliest stage portrayals of the detective shaped broader Victorian debates concerning fraud, omniscience, and earned authority. This book appeals to a wide range of scholars and enthusiasts, including theatre history students, Victorian literature scholars, popular culture aficionados, and anyone with an interest in the enigmatic figure of the detective.

In conclusion, Staging Detection is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the evolution of the stage detective in nineteenth-century Britain. By exploring the intersections between detection and performance, Dr. Foyle has illuminated the significant role that the stage detective played in shaping theatrical modes and broader Victorian debates. This book is a must-read for anyone with an interest in theatre history, Victorian literature, or popular culture.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367632656