Explores the art of acting in Europe between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, demonstrating how stage acting was understood as a branch of rhetoric. This book distinguishes the methods of professionals from the theories of intellectual amateurs, and argues that the present has much to learn from premodern debates.
David Wiles boldly reframes democracy as a form of theatre, moving from Athens to the English, French, and American revolutions, and to Indian independence, exploring how democracy really works. Engagingly written, his book will reshape thinking for students and general readers in theatre, history and political science alike.