Ritual and Drama

The Mediaeval Theatre

by Francis Edwards

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Extent: 138 pages

Publisher: The Lutterworth Press

Subjects: Medieval Studies, Music & Performing Arts

Language: English

Paperback (No longer our product)

(September 2024)

ISBN: 9780718897888

Price: $30.00

In stock

PDF (Published)

(September 2024)

ISBN: 9780718897864

Price: $24.00

Exploring the role of Christian ritual in mediaeval drama, Francis Edwards draws illustrative parallels between mediaeval and modern states of mind.


In Ritual and Drama: The Mediaeval Theatre, Francis Edwards reveals that ritual forms the basis of all popular theatrical entertainment, the root from which dramatic art has grown. Covering the period from the tenth to the fifteenth centuries, Edwards focusses on the audience impact rather than the artistic qualities of the mediaeval plays, devoting much of his attention to the emotional effect of religious and dramatic ritual on the spectator. Illuminating the impact of Christian rituals, liturgy, and stories, Edwards draws illustrative parallels between mediaeval and modern states of mind. Ritual and Drama describes the growth of the dramatic idea, the styles of presentation of the mystery cycles, and the evolution of the morality play, presenting in straightforward terms a theme fundamental to our understanding of mediaeval dramatic art.

  • By (author) Francis Edwards

"It is a fascinating story that he has to tell and he unfolds it carefully, lovingly, illuminatingly. It is just the kind of book I like - a book that makes you feel the writer has done all the work, which leaves you free to enjoy the fruits of his labour." Rosamund J. Steen, in Information for Drama "he concentrates admirably on the audience impact on the medieval plays and how they grew from the liturgy." Desmond Pratt, in The Yorkshire Post