| Author |
Matthews, Brander, 1852-1929 |
| LoC No. |
23013499
|
| Title |
Playwrights on playmaking : and other studies of the stage
|
| Original Publication |
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1923.
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 50.1 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
|
| Contents |
Playwrights on playmaking -- Undramatic criticism -- Old plays and new playgoers -- Tragedies with happy endings -- On the advantage of having a pattern -- Did Shakespere write plays to fit his actors? -- Strange Shaksperian performances -- Thackeray and the theater -- Mark Twain and the theater -- Henry James and the theater -- Stage humor -- The "old comedies" -- The organization of the theater -- Memories of actors.
|
| Credits |
Charlene Taylor, John Campbell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
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| Summary |
"Playwrights on Playmaking: and Other Studies of the Stage" by Brander Matthews is a collection of essays examining the principles and techniques of drama, written in the early 20th century. The work reflects Matthews' rich experiences from decades of playgoing and his scholarly insights into the craft of playwriting and theatrical productions. The book discusses the relationship between the playwright, audience, and actors, providing readers with an understanding of how various elements influence the creation and reception of dramatic works. At the start of this collection, Matthews introduces his thesis, laying out several theories regarding the nature of drama as an art form. He emphasizes that while the fundamental laws of drama remain unchanged throughout time, their application can differ greatly depending on cultural context and audience expectations. He critiques both the creative and critical roles of playwrights, arguing that the act of playwriting must engage directly with the audience's tastes and sensibilities, a principle observable in the works of historical figures such as Shakespeare and Molière. Matthews aims to enlighten readers on the critical thinking behind playwriting, emphasizing the importance of understanding the audience's role in the theater. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PN: Language and Literatures: Literature: General, Criticism, Collections
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| Subject |
Theater
|
| Subject |
Drama -- History and criticism
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
72661 |
| Release Date |
Jan 8, 2024 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
51 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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