Leacroft, Richard.

The development of the English playhouse.

London, E. Methuen [1973]

xiii, 354 pages illustrations 29 cm

"Richard Leacroft, an architect who is an acknowledged authority on both sides of the Atlantic on modern and historical theatre design, here presents a history of the development of the playhouse and its machinery than has yet appeared. Having trained and worked as a scenic designer, he is in addition a practical man of the theatre, and as such is very much aware of the dependence of producers, environment within which they have to work. The book concentrates upon the buildings themselves, and the factors, structural, economic and social which have contributed to their development. By means of a set of three-dimensional cut-open reconstructions of theatre buildings prepared especially for this volume, it is possible for the reader to understand at a glance the many changes and adaptations which the theatre form has undergone from its earliest phases in the medieval church, hall and market place to the traditional picture-frame stage of the present day. It includes reconstructions of Tudor masks and banqueting halls, as well as the Swan and Globe theatres of the Shakespearean era, and the designs of Inigo Jones, including a newly discovered theatre project of this period. The architectural development of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and Covent Garden, are followed in a series of reconstructions are presented to a common scale, so that it is possible to see how Shakespheare's Globe compared in size with present-day Covent Garden, and to appreciate at a glance the difference in scale between the stage of Drury Lane in the days of Garrick, with its intimate relationship between actor and audience, and the colossal theatre which replaced it to the designers of Henry Holland, with its emphasis on the spectacular scene. The information contained in these reconstructions is embellished with contemporary descriptions and illustrations, as well as photographs of the extant buildings taken specifically for this publication. Theatrical machinery is discussed in detail, eg. the use of bridges, sliders, slots and grooves. And aspects of theatre-going as social history, particularly the reflection of class divisions in the arrangement of the auditorium, are also examined. This study will be invaluable to all students of theatre history,and to those contemplating the design of new theatres. They may now understand more fully the implications of any break waya from the traditional theatre forms" - Publisher.

041328820X
9780413288202
0041328820

Theater architecture England.
Theater England.
Theatres Construction.
Théâtres Architecture Angleterre.
Théâtre Angleterre.
Architecture des théâtres Angleterre.
Theater
Theater architecture
Geschichte
Theaterbau
Theater architecture Great Britain.
Theaters Great Britain.
England
Großbritannien
Theatres Interiors Architectural features England, to c.1922

Location: Library main 22843
Call No.: NA6840.G7.L4 (W11306)
Status: Available