Routledge - Real Animals on the Stage - Theatre History Book

Explore the complex history of live animals in performance with Real Animals on the Stage by Routledge. This academic work uses a series of case studies to examine how animals have occupied the spotlight from the early modern era through to the present day. Readers will examine the visual and textual ways performing animals are represented, looking at different typologies found within the theatre. The book investigates how drama hybridizes with other forms of spectacle, including the circus, the zoo, and the cinema. It also looks at the semiotic transfer of animal roles from written text to the physical stage. By studying the changing historical fortunes of the four-footed actor, this text offers a deep look into how human attitudes toward animals affect their dramatic representations. It is an essential resource for those studying theatre history, animal studies, or performance art.