Blindness And Spectatorship In Ancient And Modern Theatres

Examines the role that spectators play in the reception and perpetuation of ableist stereotypes about blindness in the theatre.

This series of essays by prominent academics and practitioners investigates in detail the history of performance in the classical Greek and Roman world. Beginning with the earliest examples of 'dramatic' presentation in the epic cycles and reaching through to the latter days of the Roman Empire and beyond, this 2007 Companion covers many aspects of these broad presentational societies. Dramatic performances that are text-based form only one part of cultures where presentation is a major element of all social and political life. Individual chapters range across a two thousand year timescale, and include specific chapters on acting traditions, masks, properties, playing places, festivals, religion and drama, comedy and society, and commodity, concluding with the dramatic legacy of myth and the modern media. The book addresses the needs of students of drama and classics, as well as anyone with an interest in the theatre's history and practice.

Specially written for students and enthusiasts, David Wiles introduces ancient Greek theatre and cultural life.

This book investigates the role and impact of the spectator, covering many different performance types including theatre, sport, television, gambling and ritual.

Publisher description

This book examines performative practices of the ancient Romans, and provides fresh insights into the contexts of the Roman theater. The author suggests looking at ancient Rome as a large stage for a variety of performances and complex negotiations. He reconstructs the main acting techniques employed in drama, Atellana, pantomime, and mime.