Drama: Plays, Theatre and Performance (York Handbooks S.)

DRAMA offers, in a single Handbook, an analysis of the essential ingredients of the theatrical experience. An; effective and satisfying piece of theatre depends hot only on the skill of the performers, but also on the appropriateness of the techniques employed. But the nature of the entertainment will depend also on current tastes and sensibilities. For this reason the author of this Handbook surveys the varying potential of the theatre throughout its history from amphitheatres and medieval market squares to the proscenium arch and theatre-in-the-round and shows how this connects with the expectations of the audiences and the playwright's craft. The formal components of the play are also described and evaluated and, to conclude, the student is offered advice on how best to approach the study of a play.