What is a Playhouse?: England at Play, 1520-1620

This book provides an accessible introduction to England's sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century playing industry, exploring the architecture, multiple uses, communities, crowds, and proprietors of playhouses. It builds on recent scholarship and discoveries to answer questions about what playhouses did, what they looked like, and how they functioned. The case studies cover a wide range of activities, including sport, gambling, music, drinking, and animal baiting, and recognize the influence of female playhouse owners and managers. It appeals to readers interested in Shakespeare, early modern performance studies, theatre history, and social history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 218 pages
Publication date: 05 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive and engaging book provides a thorough exploration of England's vibrant theatrical scene during the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. It offers a accessible introduction to the architecture, diverse uses, communities, crowds, and proprietors of playhouses during this period. By drawing on recent scholarship, as well as new documentary and archaeological discoveries, the book seeks to answer fundamental questions about the purpose, appearance, and functioning of playhouses.

The book delves into a diverse range of play and playhouses, not only in London but also across England. Through detailed case studies, it examines various aspects of early modern culture, including sport, gambling, music, drinking, and animal baiting. It also highlights the significant influence of female playhouse owners and managers, as well as the rich provincial performance cultures that existed alongside the burgeoning theater industry in London.

This book appeals to a wide audience, including scholars and students of Shakespeare, early modern performance studies, theater history, and social history. Its comprehensive approach and rich content make it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in understanding the cultural and social significance of the theatrical world during this period.

Weight: 590g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032138879