|
Frequently Bought Together
Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought
Spring Awakening (Methuen's Theatre Classics) (Modern Classics) by Frank Wedekind |
Wedekind Plays One: "Spring Awakening" , "Lulu: A Monster Tragedy" by Frank Wedekind |
![Pandora's Box [DVD] [1929]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/414N6XMYZQL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ Louise Brooks
|
by Nicholas Wright
|
The Complete Plays, Lenz and Other Writings (Penguin Classics) by Georg Buchner |
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
The importrance of Frank Wedekind (1864-1918) to the history
of literature and the development of drama in particular, is enourmous. The
influence of Strindberg on his work is conspicuous, but he filled the
legacy of realism with a new content: the grotesque.
With his highly individual vision and aphoristic, almost abrupt - yet
always poetic - language, he hastened the transition to Expressionism.
Wedekind's vision of what constituted perfect theatre was a combination of
colour, music, word and gesture, forever mingling the sublime with the
ridiculous.
Life among the circus artistes in Paris confirmed his dictum that to bring
about a rebirth of a genuine, vigorous art it was essential to portray
people whose actions are dictated by the simplest animal instincts. It was
the pantomime "Lulu" by Felicien Camsaur, which he first saw in Paris, that
gave him the idea for his most important work, the "Lulu" plays: "Earth
Spirit" and "Pandora's Box". When the former was first performed in Leipzig
in 1898 the effect was devastating.
His method of advocating unfeigned sexual pleasure by ruthlessly
highlighting sex and making his heroine a heartless whore caused Wedekind
to be violently attacked and persecuted. His hatred of hypocracy where
sexual matters are concerned drove the play-wright to employ the most
daring expedients in order to shake the complacency of the bourgeoisie.
He was among the very first to portray a lesbian on stage - the Countess
Geschwitz, whom he perceived as the central tragic figure. But it is Lulu
who remains the eternal symbol; possessed at once of subtle sensuality and
waif-like innocence.
As a dramatist, Wedekind drew his characters with absolute clarity; he
compressed scenes and wasted no time in establishing motivation. As a poet,
he delved into ballad and folklore. His plays are a fascinating mixture of
Morality Plays and Grand Guignol.
From the Publisher
"Death and Devil" and "Castle Wetterstein", the other two
plays that make up this volume, are essentially extensions of and
complimentary to the "Lulu" tragedies.
Translated from the German by Stephen Spender.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?
 |
74% buy the item featured on this page: The Lulu Plays: And Other Sex Tragedies v. 1 (German Expressionism)£7.49 |
 |
19% buy Wedekind Plays One: "Spring Awakening" , "Lulu: A Monster Tragedy" £12.99 |
 |
7% buy Spring Awakening (Methuen's Theatre Classics) (Modern Classics) £8.49 |
Customer Reviews
There are no customer reviews yet. Create your own review
| |||
Video reviews
|
 |
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
Health & Beauty at Amazon.co.uk |
More From Frank Wedekind
Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind... Wedekind's play about adolescent sexuality is as disturbing today as...
Read more
|
Treat Someone
With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is). |
||||||||
| |||||
Your Recent History
(What's this?)|
You have no recently viewed items or searches.
After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session. |
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers
| ||||
Amazon Home | |
| International Sites: United States | Germany | France | Japan | Canada | China | |
| Business Programs: Sell on Amazon | Fulfilment by Amazon | Join Associates | Join Advantage | |
| Customer Service | Help | View Basket | Your Account | |
| About Amazon.co.uk | Careers at Amazon | |
| Conditions of Use & Sale | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates |