The Final Curtain: The Art of Dying on Stage

This book explores how actors translate words and concepts into forms that are meaningful to an audience, focusing on the practice of acting and the range of "death spectacles" across different cultures and time periods.

Format: Hardback
Length: 206 pages
Publication date: 17 May 2022
Publisher: Anthem Press

This book delves into the captivating realm of the representation of death on stage, exploring the intricate ways in which actors strive to convey words and concepts to an audience in a meaningful and impactful manner. It delves into the diverse ways in which playwrights have approached the subject of death and the prevailing attitudes towards it within different cultures. While the focus remains primarily on the art of acting, the book encompasses a wide spectrum of theatrical practices, ranging from the selective reenactments of Greek tragedies to the intricately stylized murders and suicides in Kabuki, the lavish bloodletting of the Elizabethan era, and the contemporary deathbed visitations. The acceptable and enjoyable forms of death spectacle have undergone a remarkable transformation throughout history, reflecting the changing societal norms and cultural perspectives.

This book explores the captivating realm of the representation of death on stage, delving into the intricate ways in which actors strive to convey words and concepts to an audience in a meaningful and impactful manner. It delves into the diverse ways in which playwrights and attitudes towards death have approached the subject, ranging from the selective reenactments of Greek tragedies to the intricately stylized murders and suicides in Kabuki, the lavish bloodletting of the Elizabethan era, and the contemporary deathbed visitations. The acceptable and enjoyable forms of death spectacle have undergone a remarkable transformation throughout history, reflecting the changing societal norms and cultural perspectives.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 153 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839983924