Spectacular Politics

Description

In the first reconstruction of the London street pageants staged from 1659 to 1662, she describes how Charles II used theatrical events to reimpose the concept of a Stuart monarchy - and how his opponents responded with rival entertainments advocating a different idea of the monarchy and the future. She then examines the London theatrical season of 1695-96, when one third of the new plays performed were written by women. Here Backscheider shows how transgressive, revisionary literature can awaken censoring and collaborative forces even as it opens debate. (Source: Google Books API)