A history of Shakespeare's play in performance, from John Dryden's Restoration adaptation to the rediscovery of the play in the twentieth century. What made this play so relevant to audiences who had lived through the horrors of two world wars and the rise of fascism? Why did it speak so directly to the 'angry young men' of the post-war generation and to the countercultural movements of the 1960s? This book investigates the many ways in which modern directors and actors have found their own world reflected in the play, from anti-war protests and the sexual revolution to feminism and postcolonialism. In doing so, it explores the play's own complexity and its refusal to give easy answers.
By:
Stephen Purcell Imprint: Manchester University Press Country of Publication: United Kingdom Dimensions:
Height: 216mm,
Width: 138mm,
Spine: 21mm
Weight: 562g ISBN:9781526103574 ISBN 10: 1526103575 Series:Shakespeare in Performance Pages: 360 Publication Date:01 December 2025 Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT/ESL
,
ELT Advanced
,
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:Hardback Publisher's Status: Active
Stephen Purcell is Associate Professor (Reader) in Shakespeare and Performance Studies at the University of Warwick
