Early Cambridge Theatres College, University and Town Stages, 1464}}}1720 [Hardcover]

This book attempts a reconstruction of early Cambridge theatres, based on the abundant surviving records.This book attempts a reconstruction of early Cambridge theatres in the context of the professional theatres of Renaissance London. Most of the college halls and chapels in which scaffold-theatres were constructed still stand and records survive in abundance. Alan Nelson surveys some dozen Cambridge college stages, the university's commencement stage, and extra-mural theatrical sites used by travelling professional companies.This book attempts a reconstruction of early Cambridge theatres in the context of the professional theatres of Renaissance London. Most of the college halls and chapels in which scaffold-theatres were constructed still stand and records survive in abundance. Alan Nelson surveys some dozen Cambridge college stages, the university's commencement stage, and extra-mural theatrical sites used by travelling professional companies.The excavations of the Rose and the Globe theaters have created a new context for the study and reconstruction of the English Renaissance theater. This book attempts to reconstruct the early Cambridge theaters in the context of the professional theaters of Renaissance London. It incorporates a full survey of most of the Cambridge college theaters, the university's commencement stage, and extra-mural theatrical sites used by traveling professional companies, which lead to useful comparisons with the theaters of London. The author concludes with a plea for greater attention to documentary evidence in reconstructing the English Renaissance theater.List of illustrations; Preface; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; Note on sources; 1. Introduction: London to Cambridge; 2. Queens' College; 3. Trinity College from 1605; 4. Other colleges; 5. The university commencement stage, 14641720; 6. Secular playing sites; 7. Cambridge staging practices; 8. Postscript: Cambridge to London; Appendices; Notes; Select bibliography; Index.lÃ;