EDITED WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY ALAN S. DOWNER - American Drama and Its Critics. A Collection of Criticial Essays

Chicago/London, The University of Chicago Press, 1965. First Edition, Binding: Cloth, Good/Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall Ex-Library Hardback. Ex-Library with ex-library markings. Slight foxing to edge. Slight wear to D/J. Price clipped to D/J. A lively review of American drama from 1897 to 1965 emerges from this anthology of dramatic criticism. The writings are arranged to trace the development of the American theatrer from the first attempts to break with a stereotyped past to full awareness of the advances in dramatic writings and theatrical production to be gained from a study of the new theater of Europe. In recording personal responses to plays as they are performed, the essays emphasize the play as a total work, not simple a literary text. The authors are of three kinds: the working critic, reporting on his immediate experience of the play; the aesthetician or philosopher of the drama; and the playwright considering the problems of dramaturgy. Equal attention is given to dramatic genres and to individual playwrights. 258 pp.