Theatre Planning ed. by Roderick Ham (review)

Book Reviews • THEATRE PLANNING, edited by Roderick Ham. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1972. 292 pp. $27.50. The University of Toronto Press volume entitled Theatre Planning is in general a well-documented, serious study. Editor Roderick Ham has put together what is really a guidebook for architects facing the very complex challenge of designing a contemporary theatre. In twenty chapters, the Editor has touched many phases of this subject. These are for the most part well covered by a large number of British architects and theatre technicians whose original contributions were previously written for The Architects' Journal published in London. This reader gets the impression that several chapters, notably on the subject of sightlines and stage lighting, are far more up-to-date and technically knowledgeable than the other chapters in this book. These sections are lacking in depth of technical knowhow. This is particularly true of the chapter on stage scenery. This book should and does provide a general guide and reference work for an architect's library. What is missing in this work is the knowhow and creative feeling of the "users" in the theatre. And it does not give the impression that the creative thinking comes from the professionals in the theatre; rather a very general guide for the architect. Informative plans and sections of theaters from all over the world are included at the end of this book. Note that the single American example chosen seems inappropriate since it was one of our least successful theaters from the "users" point-of-view. Although the building is architecturally handsome and enjoys a magnificent lobby, the auditorium itself and the backstage facilities in no way reflect the best mid-century technical concepts. Mr. Ham in his introduction frankly admits that the subject of "multi-purpose auditoria has not been included in this volume." In a period like ours, this is and still will be for years to come a very important subject 393 394 BOOK REVIEWS that should have been given serious consideration. The greatest failures in contemporary theatre architecture in England, the United States and Canada fall into this category - far too many clients in their desire for solving the answers to multi-purpose programs have influenced theatre technicians and architects into creating a single multi-purpose structure. It is high time that theatre technicians and architects should recognize the basic weakness in this concept. A client must be informed of the financial risks and technical failures which can spell failure in the future use of these auditoria designed to meet every possible type of theatrical presentation. JO MIELZINER New York. JOHN ARDEN, by Simon Trussler. Columbia Essays on Modern Writers. New York & London: Columbia University Press, 1973.48 pp. $1.00. BRENDAN BEHAN, by Raymond J. Porter. Columbia Essays on Modern Writers. New York & London: Columbia University Press, 1973. 48 pp. $1.00. JOHN OSBORNE, by Harold Ferrar. Columbia Essays on Modern Writers. New York & London: Columbia University Press, 1973.48 pp. $1.00. These three essays are numbers 65, 66, and 67 of the Columbia Essays on Modern Writers series. The series is carefully edited, the printing is clear, and the price is right. By holding the essays to three signatures, totalling forty-eight pages, and by stapling, Columbia is able to charge us only one American dollar per essay. Each writer gives us a short life of the dramatist, brief discussions of the plays, with dates of production, and rather makeshift bibliographies. Through 1969 John Arden had written eighteen plays. No mean feat when we learn that his first commercially produced play was put on in 1957 by the Royal Court Theatre. And though quantity alone won't do it, Arden's seriousness, his versatility (he has written mannered comedy, grotesque farce, period problem play, autobiographical allegory, ballad, opera, community drama, epic chronicle, mime play, and melodrama), his knowledge of the theatre, and his abiding interest in it should help Arden to place some pebbles where they will be pretty hard to dislodge, as Frost would say. Mr. Trussler, editor of Theatre Quarterly, does as well with Arden as anyone, and he does better than many. He discusses the plays as theatre, but...