A nightmare for a century? 'Two Gents' at Stratford

摘要

This thesis offers a descriptive and analytical account of the productions of The Two Gentlemen of Verona performed at the Stratford theatres. Four productions produced before 1926 without substantial material are mentioned and briefly discussed in Chapter I. The other six staged after 1932 will be separately considered in each of the following chapters in terms of their theatrical realization. Discussion derived from prompt-books, contemporary reviews, theatre-records and photographs, together with information obtained directly from members of the Royal Shakespeare Company. This thesis seeks to evaluate theatrical as well as literary attitudes towards the play. In certain cases, the influence of some modern literary criticism will be discussed where it is considered to be a factor in the directors' conception of the play. The final chapter attempts to assess divergent interpretations and to identify some aspects of the play which have perhaps received insufficient attention.