Women players in England, 1500-1660
Subtitle: beyond the all-male stage
By: edited by Pamela Allen Brown and Peter Parolin.
Contributors: Brown, Pamela Allen.; Parolin, Peter, 1966-
Series: Studies in performance and early modern drama
Publisher: Ashgate; Burlington, VT
Published: 2004
Place of publication: Aldershot, Hants, England : Burlington, VT
Language: eng
Number of pages: 329
Subjects: Theater -- England -- History -- 16th century; Theater -- England -- History -- 17th century; Actresses -- England; English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600 -- History and criticism
Description: "Offering evidence of women's extensive contributions to the theatrical landscape, this volume sharply challenges the assumption that the stage was 'all male' in early modern England. The editors and contributors argue that the pervasiveness of female performance affected cultural production, even on the professional London stages that used men and boys for women's parts. English spectators saw women players in professional and amateur contexts, in elite and popular settings, at home and abroad. Women acted in scripted and improvised roles, performed in local festive drama, and took part in dancing, singing, and masquing. English travelers saw professional actresses on the continent and Italian and French actresses visited England."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.