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Canterbury Stage by Stage

David Manners


"Canterbury Stage by Stage" is the complete history of the city's theatrical past from the Roman Theatre to the present day.

The chapters include:

Act One

THE ROMAN THEATRE - AFTER THE ROMANS - LITURGICAL DRAMA - THE MYSTERY PLAYS - THE PAGEANT OF ST. THOMAS - STROLLING PLAYERS - CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE - EARLY CITY THEATRES - THE BUTTERMARKET THEATRE - SARAH BAKER AND THE NEW THEATRE ORANGE STREET - ST. GEORGE'S HALL - ST MARGARET'S HALL - THE NEW IRON THEATRE - THE PENNY THEATRE - THE THEATRE ROYAL - THE FORESTERS HALL - THE NURSERY GARDENS - THE CANTERBURY REPERTORY THEATRE - ST. GEORGES THEATRE - THE CAVALRY THEATRE - THE MARLOWE MEMORIAL THEATRE - CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL AND THE FESTIVAL PLAYS INCLUDING "MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL" - THE GULBENKIAN THEATRE.

Act Two

THE FIRST MARLOWE THEATRE - THE CANTERBURY REPERTORY COMPANY - THE MARLOWE PLAYERS - ARTISTIC DIRECTORS - MEMORIES OF THE MARLOWE - THE FINAL CURTAIN - THE END OF LIVE REP - THE MOVE TO THE FRIARS - THE SECOND MARLOWE THEATRE - THE NEW MARLOWE THEATRE - THE AMATEUR THEATRE - CANTERBURY OPERATIC SOCIETY - CANTERBURY DRAMATIC SOCIETY - PLAYCRAFT - CANTERBURY PLAYERS - GROUP 81 - AMATEUR THEATRE IN WHITSTABLE AND HERNE BAY - THE PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THEATRE IN CANTERBURY.

Theatre is one of the most powerful and potent media through which we express and explore our humanity and almost uniquely, Canterbury shows the history of Theatre in microcosm. Few cities can boast the remains of a Roman theatre, evidence of Medieval plays, the oldest amateur dramatic society in the world and one of the newest municipal theatre buildings. Furthermore, Canterbury is the birthplace of some of our leading playwrights and the scene of one of the most remarkable examples of collaboration between the amateur and professional theatre ever witnessed.

All this, and much more is chronicled by David Manners in his often thrilling pages. Through careful and imaginative research and informed speculation he brings to life the characters and situations that have shaped drama and performance in Canterbury. He provides us with a constantly changing picture of artistic tastes, prejudices, ambitions, failed plans and innovation and has created an invaluable source for anyone who recognises and values the importance of Theatre in any community.

With new high speed rail links, a beautiful new Marlowe Theatre and one of the most progressive and outward looking University drama departments in the country with its own new Jarman Centre, Canterbury is emerging from its relative isolation and is, once again, expressing its character through a love of Theatre. The publication of this intriguing book could not be more timely.

Kenneth Pickering, Professor of Drama and Theatre (from the Foreword to "Canterbury Stage by Stage")

130 pages, A4 hardbound with dust jacket. Over 320 illustrations, many in full colour.

Available direct from the author:
David Manners 25 Oakdale Road, Herne Bay, Kent, England. CT6 6AH
Email: dmanners@btinternet.com Phone: (44) 01227 364342

Price: £24.95 + p/p (UK £2.95)
(CHEQUES ONLY PLEASE- PAYABLE TO DAVID MANNERS)


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