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Designed for the student, actor, and general reader, this collection of seven modernized plays includes an informative introduction, general production notes, and a specific account of the staging of one of the plays.
This collection presents seven foundational medieval mystery plays adapted for contemporary accessibility, centering on the moral and spiritual conflicts inherent in biblical narratives. Each play follows a distinct protagonist—from the first humans in the Garden of Eden to the shepherds witnessing the Nativity—as they navigate divine mandates and human fallibility. The narrative framework utilizes modernized language to bridge the gap between archaic verse and modern performance requirements. The plays operate within a framework of didactic storytelling, where the physical constraints of the stage mirror the cosmic struggle between salvation and damnation.
Readers frequently highlight the utility of these adaptations for educational settings and amateur theatrical groups. Discussion often centers on the balance between maintaining the original spirit of the medieval texts and the necessity of linguistic modernization for contemporary audiences. Critics note that the inclusion of production notes provides a practical dimension that is often absent in academic editions of these plays. The collection is widely regarded as a useful entry point for those interested in the evolution of Western drama and the mechanics of early religious performance.
Page Count:
158
Publication Date:
1968-12-31
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0198313918
ISBN-13:
9780198313915
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