Historical Dictionary of French Theater

by Edward Forman

Overview

The term "French theater" evokes most immediately the glories of the classical period and the peculiarities of the Theater of the Absurd. It has given us the works of Corneille, Racine, and Moliere. In the Romantic era there was Alexander Dumas and surrealist works of Alfred Jarry, and then the Theater of the Absurd erupted in rationalistic France with Samuel Beckett, Eugene Ionesco, and Jean-Paul Sartre. The Historical Dictionary of French Theater relates the history of the French theater through a chronology, introduction, bibliography, and over 400 cross-referenced dictionary entries on authors, trends, genres, concepts, and literary and historical developments that played a central role in the evolution of French theater.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810849396
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	04/27/2010
Series:	Historical Dictionaries of Literature and the Arts Series , #39
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Edward Forman is senior lecturer in French in the School of Modern Languages at the University of Bristol. He has collaborated with Merlin Thomas as musical director for a number of his French-language productions (Le Cid and Le Mariage de Figaro) and has continued involvement with such performances at Bristol.

Editorial Reviews

This new addition to the relatively recent series Historical Dictionaries of Literature and the Arts attempts to put the whole of French theater into the dictionary format. The author’s introductory essay is concise and straightforward, outlining the important periods and highlighting the major themes and people. The dictionary begins with a chronology, starting with a performance in 1283 and ending with new productions in 2009. The span of dates underscores the importance of the topic. The dictionary itself covers authors, actors, plays, themes, and concepts. More than 400 entries vary in length from a paragraph to up to three pages and contain cross-references. Entries for theater conventions such as Aside and Chorus are defined with particular attention to how they are used in the French theater. The volume finishes with an extensive bibliography divided by time periods and by concepts within the time periods. An excellently presented volume. Recommended for academic and large public libraries.

Booklist

This short dictionary of the French theater, edited by Forman (Univ. of Bristol, UK), is long overdue. It briefly examines playwrights, actors, and the plays themselves. The chronological history opens with Adam de la Halle's Le Jeu de Robin et Marion, performed in 1283, and ends with 2009's plays at the Comédie-Franeaise such as Molière's L'Avare and even Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor. Forman correctly cites the French theater's three periods of success: the 1660s, the 1830s, and the 1950s. He observes that all enthusiasts of French culture describe the theater as central to their intellectual and artistic heritage. The historical chronology dates plays, playwrights, actors, and more, including Molière, the most treasured playwright in the emergence of French theater in the 17th century. Other important figures are Corneille and Jean Racine, important to theater's development during the reign of Louis the XIV. Readers will learn that in the 18th century only Beaumarchais and Marivaux had some success. Romantic drama emerged in the 19th century, followed by realistic and naturalistic drama, and then surrealist drama and the theater of the absurd. This volume will be useful in all university reference departments. Summing Up: Recommended.

CHOICE

The dictionary is a fine demonstration of the author's wide-ranging knowledge and his understanding of what is important for the study of the subject at undergraduate level.

Reference Reviews

This short dictionary of the French theater, edited by Forman (Univ. of Bristol, UK), is long overdue. It briefly examines playwrights, actors, and the plays themselves. The chronological history opens with Adam de la Halle's Le Jeu de Robin et Marion, performed in 1283, and ends with 2009's plays at the Comédie-Franeaise such as Molière's L'Avare and even Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor. Forman correctly cites the French theater's three periods of success: the 1660s, the 1830s, and the 1950s. He observes that all enthusiasts of French culture describe the theater as central to their intellectual and artistic heritage. The historical chronology dates plays, playwrights, actors, and more, including Molière, the most treasured playwright in the emergence of French theater in the 17th century. Other important figures are Corneille and Jean Racine, important to theater's development during the reign of Louis the XIV. Readers will learn that in the 18th century only Beaumarchais and Marivaux had some success. Romantic drama emerged in the 19th century, followed by realistic and naturalistic drama, and then surrealist drama and the theater of the absurd. This volume will be useful in all university reference departments. Summing Up: Recommended.

Choice

This book can be of great value as an introduction to the French theater, which can make for pleasant reading and lead to further research. It is an informative read.

May-August 2010 American Reference Books Annual