Making spirits visible has been a part of the theatrical experience since at least the sixteenth century. Instead of illusions; however; ghostly doubles in theatre are materially real and pervasive. In Ghosts; Alice Rayner examines theatre as a memorial practice that is haunted by the presence of loss; looking at how aspects of stagecraft turn familiar elements into something uncanny. Citing examples from the works of Shakespeare; Beckett; and Suzan-Lori Parks as well as the films Vertigo; Gaslight; and The Sixth Sense; she begins by describing time as it is employed by theatre with multiple aspects of presence; duration; and passage. Suggesting that objects connect past to present through the sense of touch; she explores how props are suspended backstage between motion and meaning. Her final chapters consider the curtain as theatrersquo;s means for attempting to divide real and imaginary worlds. If ghosts hover where secretsmdash;secrets of the past; secrets from oneself; secrets of life and deathmdash;are kept; then; according to Rayner; ldquo;theatre is where ghosts best make their appearances and let communities and individuals know that we live amid secrets hiding in plain sight.rdquo; Alice Rayner is associate professor of drama at Stanford University and author of; most recently; To Act; To Do; To Perform: Drama and the Phenomenology of Action.
#983103 in eBooks 2011-02-23 2011-02-23File Name: B006NZ9XEA
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Title Extremely Misleading!!By Sly FoxThis is NOT a book on "How to Construct" anything! It is intersting to see all the different styles of barns and outbuildings from the past. but there is nothing about how to construct one single structure. There are no detailed plans. no specific measurements. no materials lists. nothing! If you are interested in learning about the simple look and feel of these types of buildings this book is perfect. but if you want to actually build something look elsewhere.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Interesting trip back in timeBy The Board RancherYou dont have to read much to find that if you were primarily interested in using modern techniques. materials. and tools. this is not the book for you. It is interesting to read about some old-fashioned approaches and challenges of years ago. Maybe a survivalist would enjoy and want this approach to use the simple ways. The details to actually build the structures is somewhat lacking and varying. but it does give you a starting point.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Not bad; Not greatBy kenneth mcnayThis book presents a fairly clinical look at select barns and outbuildings. It has some illustrations. I enjoyed getting a look at the described buildings. but certainly did not get the impression I could use this book if I were interested in building the barns and outbuildings described.
