Theater in der Region: Westfalen und Yorkshire 1918 bis 1945

Heinrich, A. (2012) Theater in der Region: Westfalen und Yorkshire 1918 bis 1945. Series: Forschungen zur Regionalgeschichte, 70. Schoeningh: Paderborn. ISBN 9783506776310

Abstract

This monograph traces, discusses and compares theatrical activity in Westphalia (Germany) and Yorkshire during the crucial period 1918-1945. It looks at professional theatres (producing as well as receiving houses) in Leeds, Hull, Bradford, Sheffield and York as well as those in Hagen, Bielefeld, Dortmund, Muenster, Bochum and the Westphalian touring theatre company. Starting its account the 19th century this study traces the developments of the playhouses particularly in view of their programmes. Changing expectations towards theatrical entertainment and theatre's role in society meant that in Germany theatres were increasingly taken over by local authtorities. By the mid 1920s the vast majority of theatres in Germany had become subsidized playhouses whereas in Britain theatres continued by and large to represent business ventures. The study argues that World War II resulted in substantial changes in how theatre was viewed, and particularly in Britain. Here, subsidies to the performing arts were first introduced in 1940 and resulted in programmes which were characterised by high art and an educational function - just like in Germany, where this kind of discourse had been accepted by the mid-19th century. In effect, the study argues that regional theatres in the two countries by the end of World War II had become all but interchangeable - concerning repertoires, audiences, funding and their expected roles in society. Relating to Germany the book illustrates the failures of Nazi cultural policy towards the arts. Despite grand claims of creating a new Nazi folk theatre tradition this never materialised. Instead, the Nazis made use of the existing infrastructure and made propagandistic use of the mass audiences they managed to attract to the theatre.

• Item Type: Books
• Additional Information: This monograph is published with one of the leading German publishers and in assocation with the prestigious Institute for Westphalian Regional History in Muenster (who also paid for all print and related costs - these kinds of subventions are rare in the German book market) The study is losely based on my book "Entertainment, Education, Propaganda. Regional Theatres in Germany and Britain Between 1918 and 1945" (London: University of Hertfordshire Press/Society for Theatre Research, 2007). However, the German monograph has ca. 50% more content (143,000 words in comparison to 95,000), features new case studies and a lot of additional material. I went back to work to all archives used for the English books and new ones, too. In effect, therefore, this is a new and almost entirely different book.
• Keywords: regional theatre, Westphalia, Yorkshire, theatre programmes, World War II
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Heinrich, Professor Anselm
• Authors: Heinrich, A.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Culture and Creative Arts > Theatre Film and TV Studies
• Publisher: Schoeningh
• ISBN: 9783506776310
• Copyright Holders: Anselm Heinrich

Related URLs

• University of Glasgow Library Catalogue