Scenes and Machines on the English Stage During the Renaissance

Originally published in 1923, this book presents a detailed study of the development of English staging during the Renaissance, and its relationship with the classical revival of stage decoration in Italy. The text attempts to show how from the beginning of the classical revival of drama in Italy, staging was regarded as an accepted part of dramatic production, and how this led to the formulation of definite practices of staging. These practices are then presented as being directly influential upon English theatre, prior to the Reformation by way of Italy and after the Reformation by way of both Italy and France. Finally, the development of English staging inspired by classical authority is presented as finding its natural culmination in the formalism of the late seventeenth century. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the English Renaissance and the development of staging.