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A Book About the Theater: Play Guide and Free Edition

A Book About the Theater: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

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AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

A Book About the Theater is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Matthews, Brander (1852–1929).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"A Book About the Theater" by Brander Matthews is a collection of essays written in the early 20th century. The work examines various aspects of theatrical arts and offers insights on the intricacies of the theater, from dramatic structure to performance techniques. Matthews, a professor of dramatic literature, brings both academic rigor and personal experience to his analysis, addressing topics that range from spectacle in theater to the nature of audience engagement. At the start of the book, Matthews sets the stage for his exploration by reflecting on the show business, tying it to historical figures like Disraeli and discussing their more theatrical approaches to politics. He emphasizes the integral relationship between drama and spectacle, asserting that all forms of entertainment, including theater, are ultimately about amusement. Through anecdotes and examples from various forms of theatrical expression, he begins to establish his thesis that understanding the art of the stage requires not only an appreciation of dramatic literature but also an awareness of its performance context and the evolving dynamics of audience engagement.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: A Book About the Theater
  • Author credits: Matthews, Brander (1852–1929)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Drama -- History and criticism
  • Theater
  • Theater -- History

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: Art
  • Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches
  • Category: Plays/Films/Dramas

Read this edition

View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.

Source notes

Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.

Sources

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