This fully re-edited, modernised play text is accompanied by insightful
commentary notes, while its lively introduction provides an essential
contextual grounding in the court scandals, anti-Catholic sentiment and
Senecan drama that formed a backdrop to Webster's tragedy. Exploring the
challenges of staging this highly melodramatic play, Karen Britland
guides you through the most interesting points of its rich performance
history, and analyses recent productions such as Dominic Dromgoole's
version at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, starring Gemma Arterton.
Analysing its masterful poetry, she shows how the work can be harnessed
to engage in contemporary social debates about privacy, torture,
surveillance, and personal freedom, and empowers you to do likewise.
Supplemented by a plot summary, annotated bibliography and a companion
website providing thought-provoking podcasts, production images, useful
web links and sample questions and essay ideas, this edition is the most
enlightening and engaging you will find.