Description
Book SynopsisThe Henry VI plays are Shakespeare's earliest, most theatrically exciting plays and in their day, they were among his most popular works. This is the first major study of the Henry VI plays in performance, and focuses on the cultural context of modern British productions which have explored Shakespeare's troubling depiction of England. -- .
Trade Review"Superbly researched discussions make this one of the best critical studies of the Henry VI plays" Randall Martin - Comparative Drama
Table of ContentsIntroduction: Henry VI and national culture
1. Playing Henry VI in the early modern period
2. Rediscoveries: Nation, war and empire (1899-1953)
3. The Wars of the Roses: The RSC's Henry VI and Edward IV (1963 – 4)
4. A true trilogy: The RSC's Henry VI (1977-79)
5. Henry VI and the BBC (1960 and 1981-3)
6. English counter-histories: The ESC’s House of Lancaster and House of York (1987-89)
7. Acts of war: The RSC’s The Plantagenets (1988-1990)
8. Plundering in front of hell: The RSC’s Henry VI – The Battle For the Throne (1994-1995)
9. Black comedies: The RSC’s millennial Henry VI (2000-2001)
Bibliography
Appendix: Cast and crew
