Sourcebook on Naturalist Theatre

<p><em>A Sourcebook on Naturalist Theatre</em> provides essential primary sources which document one of the key movements in modern theatre. Christopher Innes has selected three writers to exemplify the movement, and six plays in particular:<br> * Henrik Ibsen - <em>A Dolls House</em> and <em>Hedda Gabler</em><br> * Anton Chekhov - <em>The Seagull</em> and <em>The Cherry Orchard</em><br> * George Bernard Shaw - <em>Mrs Warren's Profession</em> and <em>Heartbreak House.</em><br> Innes' introduction provides an overview of naturalist theatre. Key themes include: the representation of women, significant contemporary issues and the links between theory, play writing and stage practice. The primary sources explore many aspects of naturalism, giving information on:<br> * the playwrights' intentions when writing plays<br> * contemporary reviews<br> * literary criticism<br> * political and social background<br> * production notes from early performances of the plays.</p> Introduction: Theoretical Approaches Definitions of Realism, The Historical Context, Acting and Character, Conventions and Perspectives, Key Themes, The Naturalistic Movement, Questioning The Canon 1. The Context of Naturalist Theatre: A Chronology 2. Contemporary Theories of Naturalism George Brandes and Henrik Ibsen, Emile Zola and Andre Antoine, Anton Chekov and Konstantin Stanislavsky, Bernard Shaw 3. Henrik Ibsen Social and Political Context: Documents, Ibsens Naturalistic Drama, A Dolls House: Documents, Chronology of Early Performances, Hedda Gabler: Documents, Chronology of Early Perfomances 4. Anton Chekhov Social and Political Context: Documents, Chekovs Naturalistic Drama, The Seagull: Documents, Chronology of Early Performances, The Cherry Orchard: Documents, Chronology of Early Performances 5. Bernard Shaw Social and Political Context: Documents, Shaws Naturalistic Drama, Mrs Warrens Profession: Documents, Chronology of Early Performances, Heartbreak House, Chronology of Early Performances Selected Critical Bibliography - Ibsen, Chekov, Shaw