The Dramatic Imagination: Reflections and Speculations on the Art of the Theatre, Reissue (Theatre Arts Book) [Paperback]

Robert Edmond Jones (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0878301844 | ISBN-13: 978-0878301843 | Publication Date: July 28, 2004 | Edition: 2nd Revised edition

The Dramatic Imagination is one of the few enduring works written about set design. Robert Edmond Jones's innovations in set design and lighting brought new ideas to the stage, but it is greater understanding of design - its role at the heart of theatre - that has continued to inspire theatre students. The volume includes 'A New Kind of Drama,' 'To a Young Stage Designer' and six other of Jones's 'reflections.'

Editorial Reviews

Review

It's easily my favorite book.
–Robert Cacioppo, Fort Myers (FL) News-Press

About the Author

The American scenic designer Robert Edmond Jones (1887-1954) studied with Max Reinhardt and worked with Eugene O'Neill and other playwrights.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 2nd Revised edition edition (July 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878301844
• ISBN-13: 978-0878301843
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful book to have on the shelf, September 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dramatic Imagination: Reflections and Speculations on the Art of the Theatre (Paperback)

my set design professor described this as the book to read when one is disillusioned with theater and need to restore faith, and I have to agree. It reminds us of the total art of theater, where poetry is expressed verbally, visually, and through the _presence_ of actors in a setting. It describes the curious not-reality that theater should create. It was written in 1941, so some of the references ring a little false and the language can wax florid, but the essence of what theater should be is described here.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have!!, September 30, 2010

By 

Matthew P. Benjamin (Dayton, OH United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Dramatic Imagination: Reflections and Speculations on the Art of the Theatre, Reissue (Theatre Arts Book) (Paperback)

Simply put, a must have for the library of anyone interested in theatrical design.

Robert Edmund Jones was the father of the New American Stagecraft and has, as such, influenced all scenic and lighting designers who followed - even if they are not aware of it!

As someone now entering his 20th year as a college prof, and around his 30th as a professional designer, I am constantly reinvigorated and enthused by the words of Jones. He reminds us of the importance of the arts in our society and why we do what we do.

A rough paraphrase from the book - "Do we carry visions of poetry with us as we shout directions to electricians on ladders? Yes."

4.0 out of 5 stars The Dramatic Image, September 25, 2011

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Make Mine Mocha "3M" (At my desk) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Dramatic Imagination: Reflections and Speculations on the Art of the Theatre (Paperback)

This book attempts to define a philosophical approach to stage design, to describe the "why" that underscores the "how" of scenery, lighting, sound, costuming. It does not prescribe or describe practical application. The writing style is flowery and a bit to get over initially. Jones's ideas are interesting, if a few are a bit old-fashioned. However, everything old is new again, including theatre design, so the ideas that Jones presents about theatre design's purpose, meaning, and value are useful to consider. This is a book to reference when considering general design goals, or to glean beautifully worded phrases from for research or concept presentations that reveal and elevate the ART in the art of stage design.