'Oxford Shakespeare Topics' (General Editors Peter Holland and Stanley Wells) provide students, teachers, and interested readers with short books on important aspects of Shakespeare criticism and scholarship, including some general anthologies relating to Shakespeare.
The Shakespearean Stage is the only authoritative book that describes all the main features of the original staging of Shakespearean drama in one volume: the acting companies and their acting styles, the playhouses, the staging and the audiences. For twenty years it has been hailed as not only the most reliable but the liveliest and most entertaining overview of Shakespearean theater available to students. For this third edition Professor Gurr has substantially revised the book, bringing it right up to date and incorporating many new discoveries, including those of the archaeologists at the sites of the Rose and Globe theaters. The invaluable appendix, which lists all the plays performed at a particular playhouse, the playing company and date of performance, has also been revised and rearranged.
This newly revised edition explores the vibrant world of playgoing during Shakespeare's era, providing insights into the social and cultural contexts of the time. Andrew Gurr delves into the experiences of audiences, the significance of theater in Elizabethan society, and the evolution of playhouses. The book offers a comprehensive examination of the dynamics between playwrights, actors, and spectators, enriching the reader's understanding of Shakespeare's impact on the theatrical landscape.
Focusing on the theater company that brought Shakespeare's works to life, this illustrated history delves into its evolution from its inception in 1594 to its transformation into the King's Men in 1603. Andrew Gurr analyzes the company's social significance, its operational dynamics, and the diverse range of plays it performed over its forty-eight-year existence until its closure in 1642. This detailed account serves as an essential resource for those interested in the historical context and working conditions of Shakespeare and his contemporaries.
The memoir offers a unique glimpse into the life and experiences of Andrew as he explores a beautiful island, immersing himself in its people, wildlife, and landscape. Through a blend of humor and poignant reflections, he shares the rare opportunity he was given, highlighting the richness of the environment and the connections he formed.
Informative biographical information and photographs created for this book bring William Shakespeare, his works and his times to life.
Focusing on the Admiral's Men, Andrew Gurr offers a comprehensive history of this influential acting company. He explores its formation, key performances, and notable figures, providing insight into its impact on the theatrical landscape of the time. The book delves into the social and cultural context surrounding the company, highlighting its significance in the evolution of English drama. Through meticulous research, Gurr uncovers the legacy of the Admiral's Men and their contributions to the world of theater.
Over the past thirty-five years Andrew Gurr's work has become the standard means of access to the original Shakespearean theatre and the staging of Shakespeare's plays. This is a selection of his key essays about the conditions under which Shakespeare and his contemporaries composed their playbooks.
The photographic team which has put this project together has scoured the country for original venues, unchanged since Shakespeare's time, to give a reconstruction of the key stages of his life and times - the bawdiness, the passion, the perils of plague, and the spectacle of public execution. All this is brought to life through colour photographs, so that the world's most successful writer is revealed as a living, breathing person.
