Changing Stages: A View of British and American Theatre in the Twentieth Century

by Richard Eyre and Nicholas Wright

Book Overview

A passionately argued account of the history of the British theatre by two of its most distinguished practitioners. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375412034
• ISBN13: 9780375412035
• Release Date: August 2001
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 7.8" x 10.1"

Customer Reviews

Concise Package of 20th Century British Theatre

"Changing Stages," the companion volume to the PBS television, is a triumph. Bravo to the authors Richard Eyre and Nicholas Wright for bringing their insider know-how on to the page. Eyre was the artistic director of the Royal National Theatre. Wright was an associate director with the Royal National Theatre, as well as being an actor and playwright. There are no wasted breaths here. One cannot spare any as 100 years of theater are seamlessly encased in this volume. The encyclopedic knowledge is enhanced with stunning and arresting black-and-white photos. The subtitle, "A View of British and American Theatre in the Twentieth Century," however is misleading. The main focus is the British theatre. Eyre and Wright examine the American (Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams), Irish (William Butler Yeats) and other nation's theatre only to illustrate the effects on Britain's theater community and vice versa. Some exceptions are the Bavarian-born enigmatic Bertolt Brecht and Ireland's Oscar Wilde; both are given ample room due to their profound influence. But British playwrights and their plays are the lion's share of the book. British actors, such as Laurence Oliver and John Gielgud, are mentioned for their contributions to the "structural change to the theatre." "Changing Stages" is broken down into 14 topics, including: Shakespeare, Wilde and After. A timeline is also furnished: a reference to grasp the past century of live performance in an easy manner. The witty and lucid writing is irresistible. Both novice and seasoned theatre lover will find this book a welcome addition to their library. One can read straight through or pluck jewels via the topics or index guide. Eyre and Wright are magicians for materializing a concise package of 20th century theatre within 400 pages. A joyous read for any fan of this living art. Bohdan Kot