Shakespeare's riotous audiences: Macbeth at Astor Place, 1849

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Abstract

This chapter investigates Shakespeare’s riotous audiences as participants in the theatrical event. It takes the Astor Place riots (1849) as a case study to explore the ways in which performances of Shakespeare, in this instance Macbeth, are appropriated by audiences to express national and social allegiances in diverse ways. It argues that Shakespearean performances can provide not just a site for audiences to protest over wider issues but material for the ways in which audiences articulate discontent and evaluates the extent to which disruptive engagement with the play can unexpectedly transform the delivery of Shakespeare on stage.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationShakespeare's audiences
EditorsMatteo Pangallo, Peter Kirwan
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter9
Pages137-153
ISBN (Electronic)9781003152538
ISBN (Print)9780367715465, 9780367715489
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Mar 2021

Publication series

NameRoutledge Studies in Shakespeare

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