Drama, Performance, and Polity in Pre-Cromwellian Ireland (Studies in Early English Drama)

The Irish contribution to world theatre is famous, but today awareness of Irish theatrical activity is chiefly confined to the modern period. This book corrects that imbalance with an unparalleled study of the early history of drama and performance in Ireland, from the seventh century through the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and ending on the eve of the arrival of Oliver Cromwell. The work of professional entertainers is discussed, as is that of amateurs, in theatricals sponsored by churches, guilds, civic authorities, and aristocratic patrons. Drawing on a wide variety of sources, many unpublished, Alan Fletcher opens up a vibrant but forgotten Irish landscape in which drama and performance collaborated actively in the mapping and manufacture of social history. Modern Irish drama is acknowledged as having a rich and vibrant tradition. Drama, Performance and Polity in Pre-Cromwellian Ireland helps to show how that vibrant tradition of drama and theatre has a very long history. Dr. Fletcher deals not only with performance traditions outside the Pale in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, but for the first time delves into such traditions as can be gleaned about Gaelic Ireland during the preceding millennium. Fletcher surveys the 'native' traditions beyond the Pale; early and sixteenth-century activities within Dublin; Kilkenny drama; provincial centres outside Dublin; and Dublin in the seventeenth century up to the arrival of Oliver Cromwell, when the Irish theatres were closed. MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict COVER 1 TITLE PAGE 4 COPYRIGHT 5 CONTENTS 6 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 8 PREFACE 10 ABBREVIATIONS 12 A NOTE ON TEXTS, TRANSCRIPTIONS, AND TERMINOLOGY 14 Prologue: Insubstantial Pageants 20 1 Drama and the Performing Arts of Gaelic Ireland 26 2 Early Dublin Drama 78 3 Dublin Drama in the Sixteenth Century 143 4 Drama and the Performing Arts in Old Kilkenny 178 5 Provincial Pomps and Triumphs 214 6 Patrons, Households, and Institutions 223 7 Dublin Drama in the Seventeenth Century 278 Epilogue: Revels Ended 295 APPENDIX I: The Dublin Visitatio Sepulcri Play 298 APPENDIX II: Titus or the Palme of Christian Covrage 319 APPENDIX IIIa–c: Civic Entries 321 APPENDIX IV: Introduction to the Sword Dance 327 NOTES 332 BIBLIOGRAPHY 470 INDEX 502 A 502 B 503 C 505 D 510 E 512 F 513 G 515 H 516 I 518 J 518 K 519 L 519 M 521 N 524 O 524 P 526 Q 527 R 527 S 529 T 533 U 535 V 535 W 536 Y 537 Z 537 The Irish Contribution To World Theatre Is Famous, But Today Awareness Of Irish Theatrical Activity Is Chiefly Confined To The Modern Period. This Book Corrects That Imbalance With An Unparalleled Study Of The Early History Of Drama And Performance In Ireland, From The Seventh Century Through The Sixteenth And Seventeenth Centuries, And Ending On The Eve Of The Arrival Of Oliver Cromwell. The Work Of Professional Entertainers Is Discussed, As Is That Of Amateurs, In Theatricals Sponsored By Churches, Guilds, Civic Authorities, And Aristocratic Patrons.--jacket. Alan J. Fletcher. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [453]-484) And Index. "The Irish contribution to world theatre is famous, but today awareness of Irish theatrical activity is chiefly confined to the modern period. This book corrects that imbalance with an unparalleled study of the early history of drama and performance in Ireland, from the seventh century through the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and ending on the eve of the arrival of Oliver Cromwell. The work of professional entertainers is discussed, as is that of amateurs, in theatricals sponsored by churches, guilds, civic authorities, and aristocratic patrons."--BOOK JACKET.