London’s Theatrical Heritage 9781398120426 Paperback

London theatres have hosted thousands of performances of plays and musicals, from ancient Greek tragedies to modern artistic dance. In this book author David C. Ramzan takes a look at the history of theatres located throughout the city. Londons first flourishing of its theatres took place during the Elizabethan and Jacobean period, when Shakespeare, Marlowe, Johnson and a host of other playwrights entertained audiences with a never-ending cavalcade of players and touring companies. Little is left of those days, apart from the reconstructed Globe Theatre on the South Bank, after many of the Tudor and Jacobean playhouses had been pulled down or had fallen into ruin under parliamentary rule after the English Civil War. Londons theatreland truly evolved during the early eighteenth century into todays live entertainment industry, many performances taking place from a variety of historical buildings.Londons Theatrical Heritage takes a nostalgic look back at the capitals theatreland and present-day locations, from the smallest of intimate venues to the largest of the West Ends playhouses. The story of theatre in London will delight and enthral anyone interested in the stage, plays and players, and the theatres where they perform. This book is accompanied by contemporary photographs, archive images, illustrations and theatre ephemera.