Theatreland: A Journey Through the Heart of London's Theatre

(Hardback)

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Description

Covering the five centuries from Shakespeare's Bankside playhouses to today's West End, Paul Ibell's Theatreland explores the history and current state of the London stage, taking the reader through the streets and alleyways of the theatre capital of the world. London's theatre district is quite literally built on the past. Although the book celebrates this, and the artistic achievements that still resonate today, it also emphasises that theatre is an art form that can only survive and flourish through fresh talent, new work and constant reinterpretation of old classics. Through a series of entertaining and engaging chapters on themes, personalities and trends, Theatreland reflects the effortless co-existence between past and present that is such a feature of London's theatre world, and shows how actors and producers, playwrights and publicists, theatre historians and modern architects, choreographers, critics and customers all play their part in ensuring that London remains the theatre capital of the world. Theatreland brings back to life the generations of actors, impresarios, princes and playwrights who created and shaped this cityscape, and describes how the 21st century theatre industry continues to develop and change.

Reviews

'A wonderful book! Paul Ibell informs as well as entertains. In this insiders guide, he takes us through the stage door and into the magical world of Theatreland. Its cavalcade of actors, playwrights, producers, agents, dancers and choreographers it is a must-have for anyone whose heart beats faster as the overture starts or the curtain rises...' Gyles Brandreth
'A treat! ... Guaranteed to provide sensational interval conversation ...In thiswarmly witty and informative tour-guide of a book, Ibell weaves together colourful tidbits about the London stage ... A great present.' - What's On Stage -- Laura Silverman
Listed in History Today's June 29th book blog entry.
'[Theatreland's] fascinating chapters with stories of the past and present of our theatres, actors producers and playwrights make it essentialand pleasurable reading for all theatregoers.' - Barbican Life
'Lucid and worthwhile ... the chapter about the nuts and bolts of production ... explains precisely the role of each key creative in the process ... a good chapter on significant West End women, from Gladys Cooper to Nica Burns.' -The Stage
'This remarkable book provides a series of snapshots of such a wide variety of activities and people that it has to be read to be fully appreciated.' - Theatres Magazine
'We are given vibrant glimpses of memorable behind the scenes moments of great dramatic and musical productions, and insights into the lives of a host of actors, playwrights and producers. The book is not only rich in nostalgic memories but an informative guide to trends in the theatre today ... If you love the theatre, and if you love London, do buy, beg or borrow this intriguing book.' - This England
Briefly reviewed in the Year's work in English Studies journal, vol 89, No. 1 Charting the history of London's Theatreland, from the Elizabethan period to the present day, there are a number of areas of interest to those who study the theatre of the first half of the twentieth century'

Author Bio

Paul Ibell is a writer and lecturer specialising in theatre, and a past Awards Manager for the Olivier Awards and Theatre Awards UK.