Actividad Teatral En La Regia3n De Madrid Segan Los Protocolos De Juan Garca-a De Albertos, 1634-1660: I: Estudio Y Documentos: Introduction And Docum

In 1639 the Madrid notary Juan Garcia de Albertos was appointedEscribano de la Comision de las comedias - official theatrenotary. His annual registers of contracts (protocolos) containmore than two thousand items related to actors and theatricalactivity from 1634 to 1660. This exceptionally rich collectionof documents offers a fascinating overview of theatrical life, in allits diversity, in Madrid and the surrounding area during the age ofCalderon. Especially plentiful are the contracts for performances atfestivities in towns and villages, both by professional companies andby local amateurs assisted by individual actresses and musicians hiredin Madrid. This extraordinary degree of theatrical activity in even thesmallest communities, almost entirely neglected hitherto, forces us torevise and expand our conventional picture of the Spanish Golden Agetheatre. The collection also reveals in abundant detail the compositionand working practices of acting companies, especially in the numerousasientos (actors' employment contracts), as well as transportconditions, costume hire, staging practices and repertory. The actors'convoluted and often precarious finances are an ever-present theme.The documents are accompanied by appendices and maps, and theextensive introduction provides an exhaustive survey of what can belearned from this remarkable source. CHARLES DAVIS was formerly Lecturer in Spanish at Queen Mary, University of London, and is currently a Ramon y Cajal Research Fellow at the University of Valencia. The late J. E. VAREY was Professor of Spanish at the University of London and Principal of Westfield College.(Spanish blurb see vol.II)