The Theatre of Nation: Irish Drama and Cultural Nationalism 1890-1916
Dr Ben Levitas
SBN-13: 978-0-19-925343-2Publication date: 28 November 2002
Clarendon Press
280 pages, 216x138 mm
Series: Oxford Historical Monographs
What
role did the theatre of the Irish literary revival play in the politics
of identity so avidly debated in pre-revolutionary Ireland? Conversely,
how far did that debate influence the development of the theatre? Ben
Levitas pursues such vexed questions through a panoramic study of Irish
drama and the nationalist debate 1890-1916. He follows the unfolding
drama of that relationship and, in giving equal weight to the
protagonists inside and outside the theatre movement, provides fresh
insight into the dynamics of Irish cultural politics. Extending the
range of the drama beyond the canonical works considered by most
critics, and beyond Dublin to the influence of Cork and Ulster, The
Theatre of Nation tackles many neglected and forgotten texts which
through the circumstances of their reception are given new force.
In this way, the lesser lights of the Irish revival illuminate
unfamiliar aspects of familiar writers such as W. B. Yeats, Lady
Gregory, and J. M. Synge, while discussions and disputes both private
and public are engaged to comment upon the implications of the theatre
movement for nationalist ambitions. The evolution of cultural and
political nationalist groups such as Irish Ireland, the Gaelic League,
and Sinn Fein is similarly examined to reveal a shifting terrain of
nationalist opinion disturbed by issued of class, gender, and
generation. An integrated investigation of the politics of drama and
its influence in Ireland, The Theatre of Nation concludes that
Ireland's theatre had a pivotal role to play in the controversies of
its time and in the coming revolution.
'Ben Levitas makes a significant contribution to the study of both Irish drama and Irish nationalism by introducing a rich set of impressively diverse - and previously neglected - institutions, productions, and historical contexts that helped shape the political and cultural landscape of modern Ireland. Levitas powerfully enhances our understanding of the diversity and complexity of cultural nationalism in modern Ireland,and does so in lucid and engaging prose.' - The Committee of the American Conference for Irish Studies Michael J. Durkan Prize for Books on Language or Culture.
'Carefully researched, densely argued and politically committed ... The Theatre of Nation is
refreshing and original. ' - Nicholas Grene, Irish Studies Review
'Levitas demonstrates impressive scholarly zeal ... The archival sources informing his argument include a range of material that has often been overlooked. This is what makes his book stand out.' - Karen Vandevelde, Irish Theatre Magazine
'This is a worthy study.' - Camden New Journal
'Subtly argued and impressively researched ... a central contribution.' - Irish Times
'The contextualization of theatre is a tour de force.' - Professor Mary King, London University
'Brilliant.' - Professor Roy Foster, Oxford University
'Levitas has a fine sense of political and social context; and he writes like an angel.' - Professor Norman Vance, Sussex University