A Source Book in Theatrical History: Twenty-five centuries of stage history in more than 300 basic documents and other primary material [Paperback]

A. M. Nagler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1959

A rich resource for students of theater and theater historians, this volume features an annotated collection of more than 300 unusually interesting and detailed articles. Passages by contemporary observers from ancient Greece to modern times include notes on acting, directing, make-up, costuming, stage props, machinery, scene design, and much more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; annotated edition edition (June 1, 1959)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486205150
• ISBN-13: 978-0486205151
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #396,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for students, teachers and (even) theatergoer, June 1, 2000

By 

"eivaf" - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Source Book in Theatrical History: Twenty-five centuries of stage history in more than 300 basic documents and other primary material (Paperback)

The author divides the material in 14 parts: Antiquity, The Middle Ages, The golden age of Spain, Italian Renaissance, Tudor and Stewart periods, The age of Louis XIV, The restoration theater, Venetian comedy, Eighteenth century England, Weimar Classicism, Nineteenth Century England, The American Theater, European naturalism.- For each period, the author has collected more than 300 primary texts, through which we feel that the past is still next to us. The spectator's manners, the way of acting, the conditions of rehearsals, the reactions of the audience, all of them come to us through real documents. More than 80 pictures in black-and-white complete this very good edition. (The pictures are, unfortunately, not very well printed.) I really suggest this editon.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What was theatre really like?, July 14, 2000

By 

PhoeberAnne (Binghamton, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Source Book in Theatrical History: Twenty-five centuries of stage history in more than 300 basic documents and other primary material (Paperback)

So...what was Euripides like during rehearsal? Kind of cranky, it appears. What did they do for special effects in the 17th century? Quite a lot, actually: floating gods and goddesses, strange animals, they had it all. First-hand accounts will show you all this and more in a fascinating book for theatre lovers. I had read this during a college course years ago, and was delighted that it's still in print. A good read and reference for those interested in theatre, literature, and history, only slightly marred by occasionally poor quality illustrations.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have for Theatre Students, June 23, 2010

By 

Sabaah Jauhar "Arwen Luthien" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Source Book in Theatrical History: Twenty-five centuries of stage history in more than 300 basic documents and other primary material (Paperback)

This is a must-have book for any student of Theatre and History. Very comprehensive and useful guide that I found helpful in my theatre history class.