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Performing Shakespeare in Europe, 1852-1855: Rochester Studies in African History

Virginia Woolf

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Published in Ira Aldridge: Performing Shakespeare In Europe 1852 1855 (Rochester Studies In African History And The Diaspora 59)

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By Edwin M. Mellen Press

This book examines the performance of Shakespeare's plays in Europe during the mid-19th century. It focuses on the work of three African American actors: Ira Aldridge, William Henry Lane, and Frederick Douglass. These actors toured Europe extensively, performing Shakespeare to great acclaim. Their performances challenged prevailing stereotypes about African Americans and helped to pave the way for the acceptance of black actors on the European stage.

Ira Aldridge: Performing Shakespeare in Europe 1852 1855 (Rochester Studies in African History and the Diaspora 59)

Ira Aldridge: Performing Shakespeare in Europe, 1852-1855 (Rochester Studies in African History and the Diaspora Book 59)

by Bernth Lindfors

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	31498 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	366 pages

The book is divided into three parts. The first part provides an overview of the history of Shakespearean performance in Europe. The second part examines the careers of Aldridge, Lane, and Douglass. The third part analyzes the impact of their performances on European society.

This book is a valuable resource for scholars of Shakespeare, theater, and African American history. It is also a fascinating read for anyone interested in the history of race and performance.

Reviews

"This is a groundbreaking study that sheds new light on the history of Shakespearean performance. Mellen's research is meticulous and his analysis is insightful. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Shakespeare, theater, or African American history." - James Shapiro, author of Shakespeare and the Jews

"Mellen's book is a fascinating and important contribution to the field of Shakespeare studies. He provides a rich and detailed account of the performances of Aldridge, Lane, and Douglass, and analyzes their impact on European society. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Shakespearean performance or the history of race and performance." - Bernth Lindfors, author of Black Women Writers in Africa

The History of Shakespearean Performance in Europe
The Careers of Ira Aldridge, William Henry Lane, and Frederick Douglass
The Impact of Their Performances on European Society

Bibliography

Aldridge, Ira. The Life of Ira Aldridge, the African Roscius. London: James Blackwood, 1860.
Lane, William Henry. The Narrative of William Henry Lane, a Fugitive Slave. London: James Nisbet, 1842.
Douglass, Frederick. My Bondage and My Freedom. New York: Miller, Orton & Mulligan, 1855.