Boy Actors in Early Modern England - Skill and Stagecraft in the Theatre

"Harry R. McCarthy's innovative study draws on theatre history and present-day performance to foreground how boys' physical skills shaped the plays in which they performed. Through in-depth readings of a wide range of plays, this book offers a critical reimagining of early modern theatrical culture"--

List of contents

Introduction; 1. 'All feats of activitie, and motions': Rethinking early modern boyhoods; 2. Staging skill: Movement, metatheatre, and boy actors' theatrical reputations; 3. 'The Bettering of the body': Staging sport in the boy company repertory; 4. 'Sport indeede': Star roles as physical showcase; Conclusion.

About the author

Harry R. McCarthy is a Junior Research Fellow in English at Jesus College, University of Cambridge. He is the author of Performing Early Modern Drama Beyond Shakespeare: Edward's Boys (2020), and has published on early modern and contemporary performance in English Literary History, Early Theatre, Shakespeare, and Shakespeare Survey.

Summary

Harry R. McCarthy's innovative study draws on theatre history and present-day performance to foreground how boys' physical skills shaped the plays in which they performed. Through in-depth readings of a wide range of plays, this book offers a critical reimagining of early modern theatrical culture.

Foreword

This innovative study draws on theatre history and present-day performance to re-appraise the remarkable skills of early modern boy actors.

Product details

• Authors: Harry R. McCarthy, Harry R. (University of Cambridge) Mccarthy
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.10.2022
• EAN: 9781009098953
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0909895-3
• No. of pages: 320
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > English linguistics / literary studies; English, LITERARY CRITICISM / Drama, LITERARY CRITICISM / Modern / General, Literature: history & criticism, Literary studies: c 1500 to c 1800, Literary studies: c 1600 to c 1800, Literary studies: plays & playwrights, Literature: history and criticism, Shakespeare Studies & Criticism, Literary studies: plays and playwrights, Relating to Shakespeare / Shakespearean