Festive Drama

Festive drama in these studies includes processions and folk-customs as well as full-blown plays from Spain the Netherlands France Germany Britain Denmark and Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). The main focus is the middle ages but style and approach are as relevant as time-scale reflecting a culture in which there are no firm divisions between drama and pageantry and traditional ceremonies. Common themes emerge: the world turned upside-down of Shrovetide; the emotive power of religious celebration; and the links between commerce and the demonstration of civic pride. Festive customs are viewed as hidden agendas of popular culture and performances are reconstructed. This is the obverse of art and power: the means by which the people not the princes rule the world. Professor MEG TWYCROSS teaches at the Department of English at Lancaster University. Other contributors: <I>PETER H. GREENFIELD OLGA HORNER SHEILA LINDENBAUM CLAIRE SPONSLER RONALD E. SURTZ RAFAEL PORTILLO MANUEL J. GOMEZ LARA PAMELA M. KING ROBERT POTTER JOHN CARTWRIGHT DAVID MILLS JAMES STOKES ALAN E. KNIGHT MARJOKE DE ROOS FEMKE KRAMER TOM PETTITT LEIF S¦NDERGAARD WIM HÜÜSKEN JEAN-MARC PASTRÉÉ SALLY-BETH MACLEAN MALCOLM JONES CHRISTINE RICHARDSON JARMILA F. VELTRUSKY JOHN COLDEWEY.