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The Economics of the British Stage 1800–1914

Tracy C Davis author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:21st Jun '07

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The Economics of the British Stage 1800–1914 cover

A comprehensive study of economic theory in relation to the development of nineteenth-century British theatre.

British theatre became big business in the nineteenth century, and the role of laissez-faire in this cultural industry consistently troubled the government. This full-length study investigates the theatre's growth from an economic perspective, reflecting the debates of theorists from Adam Smith to Alfred Marshall.During the nineteenth century, British theatre developed into an industry with considerable importance in the economy, diversified by whole new forms of entertainment - first music hall then cinema - evolving alongside the dramatic stage. This comprehensive study examines the theatre's growth from an economic perspective. Tracy Davis reflects the debates of economic theorists from Adam Smith to Alfred Marshall to investigate three key areas: the state's role in protecting theatre; the factors affecting the success or failure of theatre companies; and how theatre came to be regarded as one of the 'service industries'. By grounding debates about subsidization and the economic viability of the live arts in an era predating government funding, Davis sheds light on the history of cultural policy for the arts in Britain. Her book will interest scholars across a range of disciplines - theatre, social history, economics, gender studies and the sociology of culture.

"[A]n immensely accomplished work of theatre history." Essays in Theatre
"Copious, precise, and palpable, Davis's scholarly labors--the scene of her writing--become the scrim through which to encounter the economic conditions in which British theatre was produced between the years 1800 and 1914." Theatre Journal
"This book will appeal to historians of the theater and of media studies; its focus on the theater as an industry adds a new dimension. The author brings very useful statistics to illuminate the study of costs. The book will also make fascinating reading for social and cultural historians." EH.NET

ISBN: 9780521036856

Dimensions: 229mm x 153mm x 30mm

Weight: 786g

528 pages