Contemporary theatrical art as it relates to fine arts within the framework of human activity dealing specifically with processes, qualities, limitations and contributions of playwrights, directors, actors, designers and architects

How Theatre Happens

Arts & Photography

Archer, Stephen M.

Performing Arts

Macmillan Pub. Co.

Contemporary theatrical art as it relates to fine arts within the framework of human activity dealing specifically with processes, qualities, limitations and contributions of playwrights, directors, actors, designers and architects

Humor & Entertainment

In this, the first thoroughly researched scholarly biography of Junius Brutus Booth, Stephen M. Archer reveals Booth to have been an actor of considerable range and a man of sensitivity and intellect. Archer provides a clear account of the actor’s professional and personal life and places him in relationship to his contemporaries, particularly Edmund Kean and William Charles Macready.
Indeed, he begins the book on February 20, 1817, as Booth first confronts Kean on the Drury Lane stage. Archer then provides a chronological account of Booth’s life, summarizing and assessing his career by drawing upon the opinions of his fellow actors as well as of the critics and scholars of the day. From 1817 to 1852 Booth toured throughout North America, enjoying a reputation as the most distinguished Shakespearean tragedian on the American continent. Still, he yearned for success on the British stage, a goal he never attained. His public image as a drunken, dangerous lunatic obscured a private life filled with the richness of a close and loyal family and an appreciation for living.
The worldwide fame assured for the Booth family by John Wilkes Booth’s bone-shattering leap from the President’s box had eluded Junius Brutus Booth throughout his lifelong exile in America. But from that event until today, no American family of actors—not the Barrymores, the Drews, the Jeffersons, not even the Fondas—has stimulated such scrutiny as the Booths.
After Junius Brutus Booth’s death, the actor’s wife, in an attempt to preserve family dignity and privacy, burned the bulk of his letters and papers. In spite of this, Archer has done a remarkable job of reconstructing Booth’s life and career. Eight years of research, pursuing Booth from Amsterdam to San Francisco, has resulted in an accurate, fascinating narrative that both records and illuminates the actor’s life with objectivity and perception. Archer follows Junius Brutus Booth in unprecedented detail as the actor deserts his wife and child to come to America with a pregnant Covent Garden flower girl. His American adventure lasted thirty-five years and ended with his death on a steamboat on the Mississippi River after having played his final engagement in New Orleans.
Archer concludes by tracing the lives and fortunes of Booth’s immediate family. He also provides a complete performance record, including every known performance of Booth’s, indicating date, place, theatre, whether or not it was a benefit, and the terms under which the actor appeared.
This riveting and absorbing work will interest scholars of American theatrical history, the history of Shakespeare on stage, and American cultural history.

Junius Brutus Booth: Theatrical Prometheus

Biographies & Memoirs

Arts & Literature

Southern Illinois University Press

In this, the first thoroughly researched scholarly biography of British actor Junius Brutus Booth, Stephen M. Archer reveals Booth to have been an artist of considerable range and a man of sensitivity and intellect. Archer provides a clear account of Booth’s professional and personal life and places him in relationship to his contemporaries, particularly Edmund Kean and William Charles Macready. From 1817 to 1852 Junius Brutus Booth toured throughout North America, enjoying a reputation as the most distinguished Shakespearean tragedian on the American continent. Still, he yearned for success on the British stage, a goal he never attained. His public image as a drunken, dangerous lunatic obscured a private life filled with the richness of a close and loyal family.The worldwide fame assured for the Booth family of actors by John Wilkes Booth’s bone-shattering leap from the President’s box had eluded Junius Brutus Booth throughout his lifelong exile in America. But from that event until today, no American family of actors has stimulated such scrutiny as the Booths.             Eight years of research, pursuing Booth from Amsterdam to San Francisco, has resulted in an accurate, fascinating narrative that both records and illuminates the actor’s life.

Chapter 1 The Nature of Art; Chapter 2 The Theater as a Fine Art; Chapter 3 The Playwright; Chapter 4 The Director; Chapter 5 The Actor; Chapter 6 The Designers; Chapter 7 The Critic

Theatre: Its Art and Craft

Collegiate Pr

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Archer, Stephen M.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Archer, Stephen M.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Archer, Stephen M.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

How Theatre Happens

How Theatre Happens

Junius Brutus Booth: Theatrical Prometheus

Junius Brutus Booth: Theatrical Prometheus

Theatre: Its Art and Craft