This volume explores theatrical developments in three countries during a pivotal period of European history.

List of documents; General editor's preface; Editor's preface; Acknowledgements; Britain Edited by Victor Emeljanow: Introduction; Part I. Theatre, the Law and Management Practices: A. Theatres and the law; B. Management and company practices; Part II. Playhouses; Part III. Repertoire, Taste and Audiences: A. Repertoire; B. Plays and playwriting; C. Audiences: conditions of viewing; D. Composition and behaviour; E. The attendance of royalty: its effect on audiences and repertoire; Part IV. Actors and Acting: A. Getting on stage; B. The theatre as industry; C. The art of the actor; D. 'Natural' acting; E. The actors; F. The advent of Edmund Kean and Romantic acting; G. Macready and the move towards realistic acting; H. Melodrama acting; I. The faces of comic acting; Part V. Stage Presentation: A. Stage machinery, lighting and effects; B. Stage settings; C. Stage business; D. Costuming; France Edited by Donald Roy: Introduction; Part I. Documents of Control: A. Licensing of theatres; B. Censorship and propaganda; Part II. Managerial and Contractual Documents; Part III. Actors and Acting; Part IV. Stage Presentation: A. Decors and machinery; B. Lighting; C. Costume; Part V. Audiences and Auditoria: Italy Edited by Kenneth Richards and Laura Richards: Introduction; Part I. After Goldoni; Part II. Carnival, feste and Street Theatre; Part III. Theatres, Scenic Design and Audiences; Part IV. Early Nineteenth-Century Acting Companies and Theatre Conditions; Part V. Players and Playing; Bibliography by country; Index.