Free eBooks Victorian Women And The Theatre Of Trance: Mediums, Spiritualists And Mesmerists In Performance Available To Downloads
Spiritualists in the nineteenth century spoke of the "Borderland," a shadowy threshold where the living communed with the dead, and where those in the material realm could receive comfort or advice from another world. The skilled performances of mostly female actors and performers made the "Borderland" a theatre, of sorts, in which dramas of revelation and recognition were produced in the forms of seances, trances, and spiritualist lectures. This book examines some of the most fascinating American and British actresses of the Victorian era, whose performances fairly mesmerized their audiences of amused skeptics and ardent believers. It also focuses on the transformative possibilities of the spiritualist theatre, revealing how the performances allowed Victorian women to speak, act, and create outside the boundaries of their restricted social and psychological roles.
Paperback: 212 pages
Publisher: McFarland (October 5, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0786434791
ISBN-13: 978-0786434794
Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 0.6 x 8.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #1,963,756 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #234 in Books > Literature & Fiction > History & Criticism > Movements & Periods > Victorian #1538 in Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Theater > History & Criticism #4126 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Occult & Paranormal > Parapsychology
I do not remember how I stumbled upon this book, but it was indeed a lucky day. As a student of theater, this book has opened up an interest in further investigation of Victorian performance. I must admit that theater history often jumps from Restoration performance to 20th century theory, with little mention of the female presence. This book is a welcome addition to little researched areas of women and public performance.
A very good historical account of a time when women had little means of independent income. Mediumship and the "theatre of trance" was a possible way to fame and riches.
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