Routledge - Getting Into the Act: Women Playwrights in London

Explore the history of female voices in the theater with Getting Into the Act by Ellen Donkin. This book provides a refreshing account of seven female playwrights who achieved professional success in London between 1776 and 1829 despite significant obstacles. Donkin details the real-world struggles these women faced, including the influence of male theater managers and the prejudices of the era. The narrative covers a range of difficult experiences, from accusations of plagiarism to sexual harassment. By examining this turbulent period, the book connects historical struggles to modern theater. It highlights how the ratio of female to male playwrights remains largely unchanged today, suggesting that old patterns of male control in the arts still persist. This work is essential reading for those interested in gender in performance and the history of women in the arts.