Twentieth-Century English History Plays : From Shaw to Bond

The book offers the clearest definition yet of the history play, its scope and its limits.

Historical drama is an extremely popular genre among 20th-century English playwrights.

Yet the sheer size and complexity of the subject has, until now, prevented critics from attempting a clear definition.

Dr. Harben provides a new and original perspective, taking into account modern ideas of and attitudes to history.

The author examines the varying approaches to history taken by modern historians and playwrights, and provides a detailed analysis of the historical source material of selected plays.

The study is supported with a wealth of vivid and provocative illustrations.

Historical and dramatic criticism is related to theatrical interpretation and experience.

This book therefore should prove valuable and interesting to the reader with a specialist interest in the field as well as to the more general reader.