Censorship of the American Theatre in the Twentieth Century (Cambridge Studies in American Theatre and Drama) [Hardcover]

John H. Houchin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 18, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0521818192 | ISBN-13: 978-0521818193

Arguing that theatrical censorship coincides with significant challenges to religious, political and cultural traditions, John Houchin explores its impact on twentieth-century American theatre. Along with the well-known example of the House Un-American Activities Committee in the 1950s, other almost equally influential events affected the course of the American stage during the century. After a summary of censorship in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century America, Houchin analyzes key political and theatrical events between 1900 and 2000.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Houchin has written the most comprehensive book currently available on censorship in 20th-century American theater.... Essential." Choice

"Although Houchin's emphasis is more on the history of censorship and less on an argument about it, he does a splendid job defining the forces behind that conservatism and observing how those forces adapt and take different form over time." American Literature, D. Quentin Miller, Suffolk University

Book Description

John Houchin explores the impact of censorship in twentieth-century American theatre. He argues that theatrical censorship coincides with significant challenges to religious, political and cultural traditions. Along with the well-known instance of the House Un-American Activities Committee in the 1950s, other almost equally influential events shaped the course of the American stage during the century. The book is arranged in chronological order. It provides a summary of censorship in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century America and then analyses key political and theatrical events between 1900 and 2000. These include a discussion of the 1913 riot after the Abbey Theatre touring produdtion of Playboy of the Western World; protests against Clifford Odet's Waiting for Lefty, performed by militant workers during the Depression; and reactions to the recent play Angels in America.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 342 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (August 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521818192
• ISBN-13: 978-0521818193
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,078,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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