Functions of Medieval English Stage Directions

Analysis and Catalogue
1. Auflage 2022
ISBN: 978-1-032-14662-1
Verlag: Routledge

Buch, Englisch, 402 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 611 g

Reihe: Routledge Advances in Theatre & Performance Studies

When we speak of theatre, we think we know what a stage direction is: we tend to think of it as an authorial requirement, devised to be complementary to the spoken text and directed at those who put on a play as to what, when, where, how or why a moment, action or its staging should be completed. This is the general understanding to condition a theatrical convention known as the 'stage direction'. As such, we recognise that the stage direction is directed towards actors, directors, designers, and any others who have a part to play in the practical realisation of the play. And perhaps we think that this has always been the case. However, the term 'stage direction' is not a medieval one, nor does an English medieval equivalent term exist to codify the functions contained in extraneous manuscript notes, requirements, directions or records. The medieval English stage direction does not generally function in this way: it mainly exists as an observed record of earlier performance. There are examples of other functions, but even they are not directed at players or those involved in creating performance.

More than 2000 stage directions from 40 or so plays and cycles have been included in the catalogue of the volume, and over 400 of those have been selected for analysis throughout the work.

The purpose of this research is to examine the theatrical functions of medieval English stage directions as records of earlier performance. Examples of such functions are largely taken from outdoor scriptural plays. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars in theatre, medieval history and literature.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Butterworth, Philip

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Alte Geschichte & Archäologie Mittelalterliche, neuzeitliche Archäologie (Europa)
• Geisteswissenschaften Literaturwissenschaft Europäische Literatur
• Geisteswissenschaften Literaturwissenschaft Literaturwissenschaft: Dramen und Dramatiker
• Geisteswissenschaften Theater- und Filmwissenschaft | Andere Darstellende Künste Theaterwissenschaft Theatergeschichte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

List of Figures

Acknowledgements

Preface

Prelude

Chapter 1: Observers, Options and Beneficiaries of Stage Directions

Chapter 2: Didacticism

Chapter 3: The Nature of Pretence

Chapter 4: Biblical and Other Narrative Sources

Chapter 5: Spatial Practices

Chapter 6: Characteristics of Playing

Chapter 7: Playing Alone

Chapter 8: Ornaments and Effects

Postlude

Catalogue

A Note by Michael Spence about Latin Translations

List of Plays and their Stage Directions

Calisto and Melebea

The Castle of Perseverance

The Chester Mystery Plays

The Chester Appendix

Christ's Burial

Christ's Resurrection

Conversion of St. Paul

Cornish Creacion of the World

Cornish Origo Mundi

Cornish Passio Domini

Cornish Resurrexio Domini

Cornish St. Meriasek

Cornish St. Kea

Coventry Shearmen and Taylors' Pageant

Coventry Weavers' Pageant

Fulgens and Lucrece

Impacyente Pouerte

Killing of the Children

King Johan

Magnyfycence

Mankind

Mary Magdalen

N.town Plays

Nature

Nature of the Four Elements

The Newcastle Play

Nice Wanton

The Norwich Grocers' Play

The Play of the Sacrament [Croxton]

Play of the Weather (1)

Play of the Weather (2)

The Pride of Life

Terens in Englysh

Thersytes

Three Laws

The Towneley Plays

Wealth and Health

Wisdom

Wit and Science

The York Play

Bibliography

Index

Über Autor(innen)

Philip Butterworth is a visiting scholar in medieval theatre at the University of Leeds, UK.