J. B. Priestley
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Author Description
J. B. Priestley is the first book to provide a detailed and up to date analysis of the enormous contribution made by this playwright, novelist, journalist and critic to twentieth century British theatre.Priestley was often criticised for being either too populist or too experimental and this study unpicks the contradictions of a playwright and theatre theorist popular with audiences but too often dismissed by critics; describing and analysing in detail not only his plays but also their specific historical and contemporary productions.Using a combination of archive, review and critical materials, the book re-locates Priestley as a theatre theorist of substance as well as a playwright who challenged theatre conventions and assumptions about audience expectations, at a time when theatre was considered both conservative and lacking in innovation.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the complex legacy of J. B. Priestley, questioning why a writer so popular with the public was frequently dismissed by the critical establishment of his time. Maggie B. Gale, a scholar of theatre history, utilizes a rigorous framework of archival research, contemporary reviews, and production analysis to re-evaluate Priestley's standing. By examining his dual roles as a populist playwright and an experimental theorist, the text argues that Priestley was a significant innovator who actively challenged the conservative conventions of twentieth-century British theatre.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A comprehensive analysis of Priestley's body of work across plays, novels, and journalism.
- A detailed examination of specific historical and contemporary stage productions.
- Methodological use of archival materials and critical reviews to reconstruct performance history.
- An exploration of the tension between audience reception and critical appraisal in the mid-twentieth century.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the intersection of popular appeal and experimental technique in British drama. Scholars frequently highlight the book's success in elevating Priestley's status from a mere populist to a serious theatre theorist.
Page Count:
10
Publication Date:
2008-01-01
Publisher:
Taylor & Francis Group
ISBN-10:
0203932625
ISBN-13:
9780203932629
Biography
Authors english
British literature
Theatre History
Literary Criticism
