Theatres of Feeling: Affect, Performance, and the Eighteenth-Century Stage

During the later eighteenth century, theatre and theatregoing were essential to British cultural life, and Jean I. Marsden's book explores how plays and performances evoked powerful emotions in both critics and audiences. Marsden examines why the theatre was considered superior to the pulpit and how plays explored British liberty, empire, and antisemitism. The book offers a new approach to dramatic literature and performance that focuses on emotional response.

Format: Hardback
Length: 234 pages
Publication date: 27 June 2019
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Theatre and theatregoing played a vital role in the cultural life of later eighteenth-century Britain. In her captivating work, Jean I. Marsden delves into the playhouse as a source of emotion during a time when the ability to feel was considered a testament to moral worth. Through firsthand accounts, reviews, and illustrations, Marsden examines why both critics and audiences regarded the theatre as superior to the pulpit and how they experienced the plays and performances they witnessed. Powerful productions often elicited tears and even fainting fits, and playwrights. sought to harness this emotion.

The book explores this interplay of text, performance, and affect through a series of case studies of plays that explore British liberty, empire, and the evils of antisemitism. With a focus on emotional response, Theatres of Feeling offers a fresh perspective on dramatic literature and performance, moving beyond more narrow studies of text or performance.

Theatre and theatregoing were integral to the cultural landscape of later eighteenth-century Britain. In her insightful work, Jean I. Marsden explores the playhouse as a conduit for emotion during a period when the ability to feel was esteemed as a measure of moral virtue. Drawing upon firsthand accounts, reviews, and illustrations, Marsden examines why both critics and audiences regarded the theatre as superior to the pulpit and how they experienced the plays and performances they witnessed. Powerful productions often evoked tears and even fainting fits, and playwrights sought to harness this emotional response.

The book delves into this interplay of text, performance, and affect through a series of case studies of plays that explore British liberty, empire, and the horrors of antisemitism. With a focus on emotional response, Theatres of Feeling offers a novel approach to dramatic literature and performance, transcending more limited studies of text or performance.

Theatre and theatregoing held a significant place in the cultural tapestry of later eighteenth-century Britain. In her captivating work, Jean I. Marsden delves into the playhouse as a vessel for emotion during a time when the capacity to feel was regarded as a testament to moral worth. Through firsthand accounts, reviews, and illustrations, Marsden examines why both critics and audiences esteemed the theatre as superior to the pulpit and how they experienced the plays and performances they witnessed. Powerful productions often elicited tears and even fainting fits, and playwrights. sought to harness this emotional response.

The book explores this interplay of text, performance, and affect through a series of case studies of plays that explore British liberty, empire, and the evils of antisemitism. With a focus on emotional response, Theatres of Feeling offers a fresh perspective on dramatic literature and performance, surpassing more narrow studies of text or performance.

Theatre and theatregoing were essential components of the cultural milieu of later eighteenth-century Britain. In her insightful work, Jean I. Marsden explores the playhouse as a conduit for emotion during a period when the ability to feel was esteemed as a measure of moral virtue. Drawing upon firsthand accounts, reviews, and illustrations, Marsden examines why both critics and audiences regarded the theatre as superior to the pulpit and how they experienced the plays and performances they witnessed. Powerful productions often evoked tears and even fainting fits, and playwrights. sought to harness this emotional response.

The book delves into this interplay of text, performance, and affect through a series of case studies of plays that explore British liberty, empire, and the evils of antisemitism. With a focus on emotional response, Theatres of Feeling offers a novel approach to dramatic literature and performance, transcending more limited studies of text or performance.

Theatre and theatregoing played a pivotal role in the vibrant cultural life of later eighteenth-century Britain. In her captivating work, Jean I. Marsden delves into the playhouse as a source of profound emotion during a time when the ability to feel was considered a testament to moral worth. Through firsthand accounts, reviews, and illustrations, Marsden examines why both critics and audiences regarded the theatre as superior to the pulpit and how they experienced the plays and performances they witnessed. Powerful productions often elicited tears and even fainting fits, and playwrights
sought to harness this emotional response.

The book explores this intricate interplay of text, performance, and affect through a series of case studies of plays that explore British liberty, empire, and the evils of antisemitism. With a focus on emotional response, Theatres of Feeling offers a fresh perspective on dramatic literature and performance, surpassing more narrow studies of text or performance.

Theatre and theatregoing were integral to the rich tapestry of later eighteenth-century Britain. In her insightful work, Jean I. Marsden delves into the playhouse as a vessel for profound emotion during a time when the capacity to feel was esteemed as a measure of moral virtue. Drawing upon firsthand accounts, reviews, and illustrations, Marsden examines why both critics and audiences regarded the theatre as superior to the pulpit and how they experienced the plays and performances they witnessed. Powerful productions often elicited tears and even fainting fits, and playwrights
sought to harness this emotional response.

The book explores this intricate interplay of text, performance, and affect through a series of case studies of plays that explore British liberty, empire, and the evils of antisemitism. With a focus on emotional response, Theatres of Feeling offers a novel approach to dramatic literature and performance, surpassing more narrow studies of text or performance.

Theatre and theatregoing were essential components of the vibrant cultural life of later eighteenth-century Britain. In her insightful work, Jean I. Marsden delves into the playhouse as a source of profound emotion during a time when the ability to feel was considered a testament to moral worth. Drawing upon firsthand accounts, reviews, and illustrations, Marsden examines why both critics and audiences regarded the theatre as superior to the pulpit and how they experienced the plays and performances they witnessed. Powerful productions often elicited tears and even fainting fits, and playwrights
sought to harness this emotional response.

The book explores this intricate interplay of text, performance, and affect through a series of case studies of plays that explore British liberty, empire, and the evils of antisemitism. With a focus on emotional response, Theatres of Feeling offers a fresh perspective on dramatic literature and performance, surpassing more narrow studies of text or performance.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 230 x 172 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108476133