These two distinguished scholars, Arthur Colby Sprague and J.C. Trewin, trace the development of Shakespearian production both here and in America throughout the twentieth century. They discuss the differing attitudes of the theatre towards the plays themselves and, looking back over more than fifty years of theatre-going, describe the changing fashions and conventions of visual presentation, actors' costumes, and interpretation of characters. When you see a Shakespearian play you may be surprised by such things as Don John wearing black; The Merry Wives of Windsor taking place in winter, and Audrey going barefoot. This book is about such customs and conventions, their origins and prevalence.

These two distinguished scholars, Arthur Colby Sprague and J.C. Trewin, trace the development of Shakespearian production both here and in America throughout the twentieth century. They discuss the differing attitudes of the theatre towards the plays themselves and, looking back over more than fifty years of theatre-going, describe the changing fashions and conventions of visual presentation, actors' costumes, and interpretation of characters. When you see a Shakespearian play you may be surprised by such things as Don John wearing black; The Merry Wives of Windsor taking place in winter, and Audrey going barefoot. This book is about such customs and conventions, their origins and prevalence.

These two distinguished scholars, Arthur Colby Sprague and J.C. Trewin, trace the development of Shakespearian production both here and in America throughout the twentieth century. They discuss the differing attitudes of the theatre towards the plays themselves and, looking back over more than fifty years of theatre-going, describe the changing fashions and conventions of visual presentation, actors' costumes, and interpretation of characters. When you see a Shakespearian play you may be surprised by such things as Don John wearing black; The Merry Wives of Windsor taking place in winter, and Audrey going barefoot. This book is about such customs and conventions, their origins and prevalence.