The repertory theatre movement, 1907-1917

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Abstract

In this thesis I examine the development in the theatre
outside London, known as the "repertory theatre movement".
I concentrate on the first three theatres founded, the Gaiety
in Manchester, the Citizens' in Glasgow, and the Liverpool
Repertory Theatre, all of which came into prominence between
1907 and 1917, the ten years which span the life of the
Gaiety Theatre.

The roots of the movement are traced to Germany and its
network of subsidised theatres, and to the Abbey in Dublin,
which played a crucial role as the catalyst for the movement
The British background to the movement is also explored.
A discussion of the theatres' structure follows, with their
establishment, organisation, finances, policy and the
audience they attracted, surveyed. I then consider the
repertoire of each theatre analysing which plays they performed, which new authors encouraged, and why the emphasis lay on a
certain kind of drama.

The backgrounds of the actors and actresses who joined
the repertory theatres are discussed, as are their techniques,
and how they adapted to the strictures of repertory.
Similarly, the directors who undertook a huge workload
were forced to find a new way of working which would ensure
high artistic standards, while producing a large number of
plays. I shall look at this development of a new stagecraft
in a historical context and evaluate its strengths and weak-nesses.

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