Troilus and Cressida (Shakespeare in Production) - Softcover

Shakespeare, William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521796849 ISBN 13: 9780521796842

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2005

Synopsis

As social turmoil increased in England, audiences grew more in tune with Shakespeare's cynical undercutting of the Homeric tale of Greeks and Trojans, and less dismissive of his dark comedic treatment of the Medieval tale of Troilus and Cressida. This edition of his problematic play traces its theatrical history. It draws upon critical responses, photographic archives, promptbooks, and video tapes of more recent productions to reveal changes in production styles and emphasis, against a broader background of social change.

About this title

Book Description:

The performance history in English of Troilus and Cressida began in the early twentieth century. This edition is the first to offer a detailed account of the theatrical treatment of this problematic and fascinating play on the British and North American stages from its first revivals at the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. Drawing upon critical responses, photographic archives, promptbooks and video tapes, Frances Shirley traces the important changes in production styles, emphases, and responses to the play.

From the Back Cover:

From the Royal Shakespeare Company – a fresh new edition of Shakespeare's great tragedy of love and war
 
THIS EDITION INCLUDES:
· An illuminating introduction to Troilus and Cressida by award-winning scholar Jonathan Bate
· The play - with clear and authoritative explanatory notes on each page
· A helpful scene-by-scene analysis and key facts about the play
· An introduction to Shakespeare's career and the Elizabethan theatre
· A rich exploration of approaches to staging the play featuring photographs of key productions

The most enjoyable way to understand a Shakespeare play is to see it or participate in it. This unique edition presents a historical overview of Troilus and Cressida in performance, recommends film versions, takes a detailed look at specific productions and includes interviews with two leading directors – Trevor Nunn and Michael Boyd – so that we may get a sense of the extraordinary variety of interpretations that are possible, a variety that gives Shakespeare his unique capacity to be reinvented and made 'our contemporary' four centuries after his death.

Ideal for students, theatre-goers, actors and general readers, the RSC Shakespeare plays offer an accessible and contemporary approach to reading and rediscovering Shakespeare's works for the twenty-first century.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0521796849
• ISBN 13: 9780521796842
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 282