J. B. Priestley is the first book to provide a detailed and up to date analysis of the enormous contribution made by this playwright; novelist; journalist and critic to twentieth century British theatre. Priestley was often criticised for being either too populist or too experimental and this study unpicks the contradictions of a playwright and theatre theorist popular with audiences but too often dismissed by critics; describing and analysing in detail not only his plays but also their specific historical and contemporary productions.Using a combination of archive; review and critical materials; the book re-locates Priestley as a theatre theorist of substance as well as a playwright who challenged theatre conventions and assumptions about audience expectations; at a time when theatre was considered both conservative and lacking in innovation.
2007-05-08 2007-05-08File Name: B001PIJKUW
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. BEST SHORT PLAYSBy THEATRE GOERDELIGHTFUL COLLECTION OF PLAYS WHICH TELL POIGNANT STORIES IN A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME. THE WRITERS CAPTURE HUMAN EMOTION IN WIDELY DIFFERING SITUATIONS. AN ENJOYABLE READ.0 of 3 people found the following review helpful. His Best is not mineBy Jeffrey J. GreeneI was not impressed by these;Best" plays. I realize that plays are the effect upon an audience; but these chose a too finely defined audience.
