CONTENTS

 

 

 

Illustrations

Acknowledgements

1 INTRODUCTION

Note on documentation

Theoretical approaches

Definitions

The historical context

Acting and character

Conventions and perspectives

Key themes

The naturalistic movement

Questioning the canon

2 THE CONTEXT OF NATURALIST THEATRE: A CHRONOLOGY

3 CONTEMPORARY THEORIES OF NATURALISM

1 Georg Brandes and Henrik Ibsen

2 Émile Zola and André Antoine

3 Anton Chekhov and Konstantin Stanislavsky

4 Bernard Shaw

4 HENRIK IBSEN: 1828–1906

1 Context

2 Ibsen’s naturalistic drama

3 A Doll’s House

The play

Chronology of major early performances

Performance and reception

4 Hedda Gabler

The play

Chronology of major early performances

Performance and reception

5 ANTON CHEKHOV: 1860–1904

1 Context

2 Chekhov’s naturalistic drama

3 The Seagull

The play

Chronology of major early performances

Performance and reception

4 The Cherry Orchard

The play

Chronology of major early performances

Performance and reception

6 BERNARD SHAW: 1856–1950

1 Context

2 Shaw’s naturalistic drama

3 Mrs Warren’s Profession

The play

Chronology of major early performances

Performance and reception

4 Heartbreak House

The play

Chronology of major early performances

Performance and reception

SELECTED CRITICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY

Henrik Ibsen

Anton Chekhov

Bernard Shaw

Index