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Theatreland: A Journey Through the Heart of London's Theatre
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.
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.
- GenresTheatreNonfiction
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 5, 2009
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January 28, 2016
Paul Ibell writes widely and well on a range of topics to do with London's theatreland, but in spite of the effort to corral them into more or less coherent chapters (acting dynasties, Yanks in London, theatre critics, cross-dressing, etc. - not to mention dedicated essays on the Savoy, the Donmar, Shaftesbury Ave and St Martin's Lane) - in spite of all these, the book never really manages to rise above the level of a random collection of theatrical anecdotes. All the same, Ibell's suave style means that said anecdotes are never anything less than highly entertaining (Sheridan Morley snoring in the stalls is one of literally hundreds).
For me the primary value of the book lies in its snapshot of London theatre in the couple of decades before I came to town. Anything from 2007 onwards is right up my alley - not for nothing have I seen over 1000 shows and spent countless hours and untold thousands of pounds on this my ruinous passion. But Ibell's book (which came out in 2009) harks back frequently to the 1990s and early 2000s, a period largely unknown to me. His informative portrait is therefore very welcome to this particular reader.
For me the primary value of the book lies in its snapshot of London theatre in the couple of decades before I came to town. Anything from 2007 onwards is right up my alley - not for nothing have I seen over 1000 shows and spent countless hours and untold thousands of pounds on this my ruinous passion. But Ibell's book (which came out in 2009) harks back frequently to the 1990s and early 2000s, a period largely unknown to me. His informative portrait is therefore very welcome to this particular reader.
Displaying 1 of 1 review