The Development of the Playhouse

Development of the Playhouse: A Survey of Theatre Architecture from the Renaissance to the Present fills a significant gap in English-language studies by offering a comprehensive history of Western theater architecture from its roots to modern adaptations. While past studies have often highlighted classical Greek and Roman theaters, this volume addresses the evolution of playhouse forms across various historical periods and cultural contexts, with an emphasis on architectural design's impact on theatrical production and performance. By exploring the correlation between evolving audience-actor dynamics and shifts in architectural styles, the book unveils the cultural, technical, and aesthetic trends that shaped theater buildings in each era.

The author argues that the design of a playhouse, much like that of any inhabited space, must respond organically to the needs of both the performers and the audiences while adapting to broader social norms and practical demands. This text highlights how varying approaches—from the box-pit-gallery structures of the 17th century to the revivalist thrust stages of today—each reflect the era’s unique artistic and social values, and not merely the whims of fashion. The volume also examines how architecture has historically influenced production styles, theatrical conventions, and audience engagement, offering a valuable resource for scholars, architects, and students aiming to understand theater as a dynamic intersection of art, architecture, and cultural history.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1970.