The war of the theatres

The War of the Theatres, written by Josiah Harmar Penniman in 1897, is a historical account of the theatrical rivalry that took place in London during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The book explores the competition between two prominent playwrights, Ben Jonson and John Marston, and their respective companies, the Lord Chamberlain's Men and the Children of the Chapel. Penniman delves into the political and social context of the time, examining the role of the theatre in shaping public opinion and reflecting the values of society. He also provides detailed analyses of the plays produced by both companies, highlighting their themes and styles, and the ways in which they differed from one another. The book is divided into six chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of the War of the Theatres. These include the origins and early stages of the conflict, the personalities and motivations of the key players, the impact of the rivalry on the London theatre scene, and the legacy of Jonson and Marston's work. Overall, The War of the Theatres is a comprehensive and engaging study of a fascinating period in theatrical history. It offers valuable insights into the cultural and artistic landscape of early modern England, and the ways in which theatre both reflected and influenced the society of the time.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.