French Theatre in the Neo-classical Era, 1550-1789

Review of the hardback: 'The book is put together by a team of specialists in theatre history. It presents a very complete picture - all the main documents are present, at least in extract. But the beauty of this collection is that it is a serious and comprehensive research tool, which yet leaves the reader's imagination free to roam.' The Times Literary Supplement

• List of documents; General editors' preface; Editor's preface; Historical references and glossary; Abbreviations; Introduction; Part I. 1550–1630 Christopher Smith: 1. Documents of control; 2. Humanist drama; 3. Theatre in Paris; 4. Theatre in the provinces; 5. Theatre at court; Part II. 1630–80 Edward Forman, Michael O'Regan and William D. Howarth: 6. Documents of control; 7. Playhouses and companies; 8. Actors and acting; 9. Mise-en-scène and costume; 10. Audiences; 11. Authors and their critics; Part III. 1680–1715 Jan Clarke; 12. Documents of control; 13. Company documents; 14. Playhouses; 15. The play in rehearsal and performance; 16. Audiences; 17. Provincial and amateur theatre; 18. The morality debate; Part IV. 1715–91 John Golder and William D. Howarth: 19. Documents of control; 20. Company administration; 21. Theatre architecture; 22. Stage presentation; 23. Actors and acting; 24. Audiences, critics and the eighteenth-century repertoire; 25. Censorship and the morality debate; 26. Independent, provincial and private theatres; 27. Actors and authors; the end of the ancien régime; Bibliography.