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  • The First English Actresses: Women and Drama, 1660-1700

    The First English Actresses by Howe, Elizabeth;

    Women and Drama, 1660-1700

      • GET 20% OFF

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      • Publisher's listprice GBP 41.00
      • The price is estimated because at the time of ordering we do not know what conversion rates will apply to HUF / product currency when the book arrives. In case HUF is weaker, the price increases slightly, in case HUF is stronger, the price goes lower slightly.

        20 750 Ft (19 762 Ft + 5% VAT)
      • Discount 20% (cc. 4 150 Ft off)
      • Discounted price 16 600 Ft (15 810 Ft + 5% VAT)

    20 750 Ft

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    Availability

    Estimated delivery time: In stock at the publisher, but not at Prospero's office. Delivery time approx. 3-5 weeks.
    Not in stock at Prospero.

    Why don't you give exact delivery time?

    Delivery time is estimated on our previous experiences. We give estimations only, because we order from outside Hungary, and the delivery time mainly depends on how quickly the publisher supplies the book. Faster or slower deliveries both happen, but we do our best to supply as quickly as possible.

    Product details:

    • Publisher Cambridge University Press
    • Date of Publication 4 June 1992

    • ISBN 9780521422109
    • Binding Paperback
    • No. of pages244 pages
    • Size 229x157x15 mm
    • Weight 380 g
    • Language English
    • Illustrations 12 b/w illus. 2 tables
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    Short description:

    This book describes how and why women were permitted to act on the public stage after 1660 in England.

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    Long description:

    Before the Restoration of Charles II there were no professional actresses on the English stage, and female roles had almost always been played by men. This book describes how and why women were permitted to act on the public stage after 1660, and the consequences of their arrival for the drama of the period. Elizabeth Howe opens up a fascinating subject to non-specialists. Beginning with a general account of the workings of Restoration theatre, she goes on to explain the advent of the actresses and how they were treated. Perceived predominantly as sex objects, the actresses' sexuality was variously exploited in ways that had important consequences for drama. The book addresses questions that are relevant to women's issues in every period: how far did the advent of real women players alter dramatic portrayals of women? Did this encourage more or less equality between the sexes? Although in one sense merely playthings for a small male elite, the pioneering actresses also represent a distinct female voice in society and a fresh place in discourse.

    "...packed with new information on women involved in drama of the times, from analysis of theatre objectives and performance technicalities to consideration of how actresses were treated by companies and society during the times." The Midwest Book Review

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    Table of Contents:

    Illustrations; A note on styling, dates and editions used; Preface; Introduction; 1. The arrival of the actress; 2. Sex and violence: the exploitation of the actress in Restoration drama; 3. The actress, the dramatist and comedy; 4. Life overwhelming fiction: how actresses' own personalities affected their roles; 5. Elizabeth Barry and the development of Restoration tragedy; 6. The actress as dramatic prostitute/mistress; 7. The angel and the she-devil and their impact on Restoration drama; 8. Conclusion: the achievement of the first English actresses; Appendix I. Major actresses and their roles; Appendix II. Plays in which Barry and Bracegirdle appeared together; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

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