A history of Scandinavian theatre

The theatrical heritage from which both Ibsen and Strindberg sprang is rich in tradition and achievement. This study of the history and development of theatre in Scandinavia examines dominant styles and trends in various periods, from the earliest performances in the Middle Ages to the provocative productions and experiments of the present day. The closely interrelated theatrical cultures of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway have flourished for far longer than many outside observers realize. Moreover, as this book also demonstrates, the manifest vitality of theatrical activity in the three Nordic countries has depended on a vigorous interaction (not a one-way traffic) with European theatre at large. By the second half of the nineteenth century, as Ibsen and Strindberg began their rise to international prominence, Scandinavian theatre came to occupy a more dominant position in the wider European framework. In our own day, more forcefully than ever before, major Scandinavian stage directors and designers have continued to influence the shape and outlook of contemporary theatre as a whole. This book, the only work of its kind in English, provides a balanced and authoritative account of the theatrical history of all three Scandinavian countries. It is generously illustrated and comprehensively documented, with an extensive bibliography.