A History of Scandinavian TheatreThe theatrical heritage from which both Ibsen and Strindberg sprang is rich in tradition and achievement. This study of the history and development of theatre in Scandinavia examines dominant styles and trends in various periods, from the earliest performances in the Middle Ages to the provocative productions and experiments of the present day. The closely interrelated theatrical cultures of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway have flourished for far longer than many outside observers realize. Moreover, as this book also demonstrates, the manifest vitality of theatrical activity in the three Nordic countries has depended on a vigorous interaction (not a one-way traffic) with European theatre at large. By the second half of the nineteenth century, as Ibsen and Strindberg began their rise to international prominence, Scandinavian theatre came to occupy a more dominant position in the wider European framework. In our own day, more forcefully than ever before, major Scandinavian stage directors and designers have continued to influence the shape and outlook of contemporary theatre as a whole. This book, the only work of its kind in English, provides a balanced and authoritative account of the theatrical history of all three Scandinavian countries. It is generously illustrated and comprehensively documented, with an extensive bibliography. |
Contents
Early stages | 3 |
Theatre at court | 29 |
Playhouses of the eighteenth century | 50 |
The Gustavian age | 76 |
The romantic theatre and its aftermath | 96 |
Ibsens Norway | 131 |
Naturalism and the director | 162 |
The Strindberg challenge | 193 |
The modernist revolt | 224 |
IO Tradition and experiment since 1945 | 269 |
The plurality of postmodern theatre | 318 |
Notes | 343 |
357 | |
368 | |
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action actors artistic atmosphere audience ballet became Bergen Berlingske Tidende Bjørnson Bloch Bollhuset castle century character Christian Christiania Theatre color comedy comic contemporary Copenhagen costumes court theatre Courtesy of Drottningholms created critics dance Danish Royal Theatre danske decor Denmark directed director drama Dramaten dramatist Dream Play Drottningholms Teatermuseum Edvard Brandes effect ensemble figure formance Frederik French Fru Heiberg Gustav Gustavian Henrik Henrik Ibsen Holberg Ibsen Ingmar Bergman Johanne Luise Heiberg Johannes King Lagerkvist later light Lindberg Lorensberg Theatre medieval mise-en-scène modern Molander Molander's Montaigu national theatre Nationaltheatret naturalistic Nordic Norske Teatret Norway Norwegian Oehlenschläger opening opera Oslo painted Peer Gynt performance period Plate play's playhouse playwright popular Poulsen production reality rehearsals repertory revival role romantic Scandinavia Scandinavian theatre scene scenery scenic setting Sjöberg spectators stage Stockholm Strindberg style stylized Svenska Sweden Swedish teater theatre's theatrical tion tradition tragedy troupe visual world premiere young