Performing Power: The Political Secrets of Gustav III (1771-1792)

By: Maria Berlova

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Synopsis: Performing Power explores 18th-century fabrication of the royal image by focusing on the example of King Gustav III (1746–1792) – one of Sweden’s most acclaimed and controversial monarchs – who conspicuously chose theater as the primary media for his image-making and role construction. The text postulates that Gustav III was motivated by theater’s ability to aid him in fulfilling Enlightenment’s tenet of broadly educating the populace and inculcating it with royal ideology. That he was an amateur actor, stage director, and playwright were other engines driving his choice. The project challenges and expands the commonly accepted perception of Gustav III’s contribution to Swedish theater, which has generally been limited to founding its National Opera, developing its national drama, and forming its national dramatic repertoire. Maria Berlova presents Gustav III as a performing King who strategically used political events as a framework through which he could embody the image of the ideal or enlightened monarch as presented by Voltaire. Through this, Performing Power explores the tight relationship and complex bond between theatrical arts and politics. This unique study will be of great interest to students and scholars in theater studies, 18th-century culture, and politics.

Book Quality:: Publisher Quality
Book Size:: 242 Pages
ISBN-13:: 9781000378030
Related ISBNs:: 9780367565565, 9780367565572, 9781003098348
Publisher:: Taylor and Francis
Date of Addition:: 04/22/21
Copyrighted By:: Maria Berlova, The right of Maria Berlova to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections
Adult content:: No
Language:: English
Has Image Descriptions:: No
Categories:: History, Entertainment, Nonfiction, Art and Architecture, Drama, Plays and Theater, Politics and Government
Submitted By:: Bookshare Staff
Usage Restrictions:: This is a copyrighted book.
Edited by:: Michael Kroetch