Harley Granville Barker

Granville Barker on Theatre brings together some of the most important critical theatrical writings of Harley Granville Barker, a major figure of 20th-century British theatre. Known as a pioneer of the National Theatre and Repertory Movement, and remembered mainly for his Prefaces to Shakespeare, from the 1900s to his death in the 1940s Granville Barker commented enthusiastically in newspaper items, introductions to plays, articles, essays, articles, and published lectures on a range of topics: the nature of theatre as an art form and as a social medium, the need for ensemble playing in a repertory system, the relationship between the three chief constituents of theatre – the actor, the playwright and the audience. Granville Barker on Theatre makes available again these writings in which Barker dissects the state of theatre as he saw it, with coruscating critiques of the commercial system, the long run and censorship, the vitality of theatre outside Britain, and what he saw as the welcome renaissance of theatre in non-professional groups liberated from the profit motive. These writings show a master practitioner concerned with, above all, promoting a new type of drama; vital not only for its own sake but for the sake of the health of society at large.

A scandal half-stifled is worse than a scandal. One is at everybody's mercy. Backstage at a hung parliament, visionary Independent Henry Trebell is co-opted by the Tories to push through a controversial Bill. Pursuing his cause with missionary zeal, he’s barely distracted by his brief affair with a married woman until she suffers a lethal backstreet abortion. Threatened by public scandal, the Establishment closes ranks and coolly seals the fate of an idealistic man. Famously banned by the censors in 1907, Harley Granville Barker’s controversial masterpiece gathers a large ensemble to expose a cut-throat, cynical world of sex, sleaze and suicide amongst the political elite of Edwardian England. This edition was published for the National Theatre's revival in November 2015.

The Study of Drama by Harley Granville-Barker was published as part of the Cambridge Miscellany series in 1934. It contains the text of a lecture delivered by the author in Cambridge in 1934 on the study of 'drama as drama, considered in relation to the theatre'. The lecture is printed together with extensive notes, which were added subsequently.

Unrivalled practical insights from one of the most influential actors and directors of Shakespeare of all time. With a foreword by Richard Eyre. This volume contains the original 1914 Preface to A Midsummer Night's Dream; an extended 1924 Preface to the same play; and the 1912 Prefaces to The Winter's Tale and Twelfth Night. 'I regard Granville Barker not only as the first modern English director but as the most influential' Richard Eyre 'A deep and penetrating intelligence illuminates his observations, and they remain permanently relevant' Peter Brook

Unrivalled practical insights from one of the most influential actors and directors of Shakespeare of all time. With a foreword by Richard Eyre. 'I regard Granville Barker not only as the first modern English director but as the most influential' Richard Eyre 'A deep and penetrating intelligence illuminates his observations, and they remain permanently relevant' Peter Brook

Published to tie in with the revival of this classic play by Harley Granville-Barker at the Almeida Theatre, 25 Sept - 15 Nov. Radical politician Henry Trebell sees his personal and political lives collide. An affair with a married woman threatens Trebell's power and passionate ideals; her insistence on a woman's right to choose bring private scandal into the public spotlight. Controversially banned by the Lord Chamberlain on its release, Waste is a rich portrait of early 20th Century society with strong resonances and relevance for today. Widely regarded as the founder of modern British theatre, Harley Granville Barker's work includes The Madras House and The Voysey Inheritance, recently revived at the National Theatre. It will be directed by Samuel West.

Unrivalled practical insights into the play from one of the most influential actors and directors of Shakespeare of all time. With a foreword by Richard Eyre. 'I regard Granville Barker not only as the first modern English director but as the most influential' Richard Eyre 'A deep and penetrating intelligence illuminates his observations, and they remain permanently relevant' Peter Brook

Unrivalled practical insights into the play from one of the most influential actors and directors of Shakespeare of all time. 'I regard Granville Barker not only as the first modern English director but as the most influential' Richard Eyre, from his Foreword 'A deep and penetrating intelligence illuminates his observations, and they remain permanently relevant' Peter Brook

Financial chicanery and ethical conflict in early twentieth-century classic being revived at the National Theatre Edward's highly principled world is turned upside down when his father reveals that he has been illegally speculating with clients' money. To make matters worse, he soon discovers his large, scandal-fearing family would perpetuate the crime rather than risk public dishonour. 'Of course it's pleasant and comfortable to keep within the law ...then the law will look after you. Otherwise you have to look pretty sharp after yourself. You have to cultivate your own sense of right and wrong ...deal with your own justice. But that makes a bigger man of you, let me tell you.' This magnificently observed, hugely enjoyable portrait of an upper-middle-class family was written by the father of 20th-century British theatre, Harley Granville Barker, ten years before the First World War finally sent old values flying. The play was first staged at the Court Theatre, London, in 1904. It opens at the Royal National Theatre on 18 April 2006.

The best known - and longest - of Harley Granville Barker's celebrated Prefaces to Shakespeare: some of the best practical guides to Shakespeare's work yet written. With a foreword by Richard Eyre. In his Preface to Hamlet, Barker takes the reader through the play, quoting freely and commenting on the meaning and impact of each moment. In doing so he combines his experience as a director and actor with his scholarly knowledge of the Elizabethan stage. 'I regard Granville Barker not only as the first modern English director but as the most influential' Richard Eyre 'A deep and penetrating intelligence illuminates his observations, and they remain permanently relevant' Peter Brook

No one in Barker's generation did more to change British Theatre The Marrying of Ann Leete, is thinly veiled costume drama, using an 18th century tale to reflect on 19th century reality, it follows the story of Ann a "new woman", surrounded by a society of manoeuvres and lies; The Madras House follows the fortunes of the Madras family at the height of Edwardian expansion of London and the reformation of ideas about society and gender roles; His Majesty is the fictional story of the king of a cash-strapped Eastern European country where naive make-believe meets the dark universe of realpolitik; Farewell to the Theatre is a witty commentary on the trials and tribulations of a theatre and its actors.

This is one of a series of books that provide a guide to Shakespeare's plays. The prefaces include endorsements by both actors and directors.

This is one of a series of books that provide a guide to Shakespeare's plays. The prefaces include endorsements by both actors and directors.

This is one of a series of books that provide a guide to Shakespeare's plays. The prefaces include endorsements by both actors and directors.

This is one of a series of books that provide a guide to Shakespeare's plays. The prefaces include endorsements by both actors and directors.

This is one of a series of books that provide a guide to Shakespeare's plays. The prefaces include endorsements by both actors and directors.

The classic - and most practical - guide to Shakespeare’s major plays, available in separate, pocket-format volumes for use in study or rehearsal room. With a foreword by Richard Eyre. 'I regard Granville Barker not only as the first modern English director but as the most influential' Richard Eyre 'A deep and penetrating intelligence illuminates his observations, and they remain permanently relevant' Peter Brook