A Sourcebook on Naturalist Theatre provides essential primary sources which document one of the key movements in modern theatre. Christopher Innes has selected three writers to exemplify the movement, and six plays in particular:
* Henrik Ibsen - A Dolls House and Hedda Gabler
* Anton Chekhov - The Seagull and The Cherry Orchard
* George Bernard Shaw - Mrs Warren's Profession and Heartbreak House.
Innes' introduction provides an overview of naturalist theatre. Key themes include: the representation of women, significant contemporary issues and the links between theory, play writing and stage practice. The primary sources explore many aspects of naturalism, giving information on:
* the playwrights' intentions when writing plays
* contemporary reviews
* literary criticism
* political and social background
* production notes from early performances of the plays.
Introduction: Theoretical Approaches Definitions of Realism, The Historical Context, Acting and Character, Conventions and Perspectives, Key Themes, The Naturalistic Movement, Questioning The Canon 1. The Context of Naturalist Theatre: A Chronology 2. Contemporary Theories of Naturalism George Brandes and Henrik Ibsen, Emile Zola and Andre Antoine, Anton Chekov and Konstantin Stanislavsky, Bernard Shaw 3. Henrik Ibsen Social and Political Context: Documents, Ibsens Naturalistic Drama, A Dolls House: Documents, Chronology of Early Performances, Hedda Gabler: Documents, Chronology of Early Perfomances 4. Anton Chekhov Social and Political Context: Documents, Chekovs Naturalistic Drama, The Seagull: Documents, Chronology of Early Performances, The Cherry Orchard: Documents, Chronology of Early Performances 5. Bernard Shaw Social and Political Context: Documents, Shaws Naturalistic Drama, Mrs Warrens Profession: Documents, Chronology of Early Performances, Heartbreak House, Chronology of Early Performances Selected Critical Bibliography - Ibsen, Chekov, Shaw
