John Oxenford (1812-1877) as Farceur and Critic of Comedy

John Oxenford (1812-1877) was a prominent figure in the 19th-century theatrical landscape.

A successful playwright himself, he gained equal respect as theatre critic of The Times for 30 years.

His literary achievements also include a number of competent translations and many contributions to periodicals on a variety of subjects.

This study explores the exuberant world of his farces, identifying them as the genre best suited to his literary taste and outlook.

Chapters I-III highlight his theoretical views on comedy and drama implied in his many essays and reviews.

The results are then used in a close analysis of his plays in chapters IV-VIII.

In the process, Oxenford's farces emerge as a highly original body of theatrical literature, based on an expert understanding of the stage, clear dramatic concepts, a Rabelaisian appreciation for fun, and an unerring sense for the expectations of a Victorian audience.