Laboratory, Library, Database: London's Avant-Garde Drama Societies and Ephemeral Repertoire

摘要: How did London’s avant-garde drama societies shape the performance repertoire? Dedicated to discovery of new or sometimes very old plays, these subscription were experimental coterie clubs composed members whose annual fees financed, and secured tickets to, a season private productions. In 1891, J. T. Grein founded first such group in Britain, Independent Theatre Society, order stage Ibsen’s Ghosts, which Lord Chamberlain had banned from public stage. Over 140 followed; Stage Society (1899–1939) ran longest most successfully. This essay begins by quantitatively analyzing database over 23,000 London productions 1890–1959 determine extent introduced modern dramatic repertoire stage, otherwise known as commercial theater. Then, it argues that virtually assembled idea using ephemera prospectuses, programs, reports, tickets. The methodological aims with respect study are two-fold: demonstrate potentials limitations digital databases, make case for integrating them book history. expands on previous analyses relationship between page articulating role ephemera, an under-theorized print genre but one importance institutions generally theater specifically. It contends rise databases further invites us think about how theatrical collectivity is conditioned media both old.