A Cultural History of Theatre in the Middle Ages (The Cultural Histories, Book 2)

Historically and broadly defined as the period between the fallof the Roman Empire and the rise of the Renaissance, the MiddleAges encompass a millennium of cultural conflicts and developments.A large body of mystery, passion, miracle and morality playscohabited with song, dance, farces and other public spectacles,frequently sharing ecclesiastical and secular inspiration. ACultural History of Theatre in the Middle Ages provides acomprehensive and interdisciplinary overview of the culturalhistory of theatre between 500 and 1500, and imaginatively piecestogether the puzzle of medieval theatre by foregrounding the studyof performance.Each of the ten chapters of this richly illustrated volume takesa different theme as its focus: institutional frameworks; socialfunctions; sexuality and gender; the environment of theatre;circulation; interpretations; communities of production; repertoireand genres; technologies of performance; and knowledgetransmission.