London’s Grand Guignol and the Theatre of Horror

By Richard J. Hand and Michael Wilson

Paperback, 304 pages	£18.00
Published: 2007
ISBN: 9780859897921 Format: 234mm x 156mm

Hardback, 304 pages	£60.00
Published: 2007
ISBN: 9780859897891 Format: 234mm x 156mm

Subjects: Performance

About the Book
Contents
Reviews
Author Biography
Other Images

A companion to UEP’s Grand-Guignol: The French Theatre of Horror (now in its third reprint). A genre that has left more of a mark on British and American culture than we may imagine” (Gothic Studies).

London’s Grand Guignol was established in the early 1920s at the Little Theatre in the West End. It was a high-profile venture that enjoyed popular success as much as critical controversy. On its side were some of the finest actors on the English stage, in the shape of Sybil Thorndike and Lewis Casson, and a team of extremely able writers, including Noël Coward.

The reviewer in the journal Gothic Studies wrote, of the authors’ previous book: “having recently taught a module on Grand Guignol with third year drama students, it is also worth noting that this book captured their imaginations in a way that few other set texts seem to manage.”

Contents: SECTION 1; Chapter 1: A History of London's Grand Guignol; Chapter 2: London's Grand Guignol and Issues of Genre and Writing; Chapter 3: London's Grand Guignol: Performers and Performing; Chapter 4: London's Grand Guignol: Censorship and Reception; Chapter 5: London's Grand Guignol and the Reviewers; Chapter 6: The Aftermath and Legacy of London's Grand Guignol; SECTION 2; Ten Plays of London's Grand Guignol; Eight O'Clock by Reginald Berkeley; A Man in Mary's Room by Gladys Unger; Private Room Number 6 by Andre de Lorde; The Person Unknown by H. F. Maltby; Latitude 15[degrees] South by Victor MacClure; The Old Women by Christopher Holland; The Nutcracker Suite by Eliot Crawshay-Williams; The Sisters' Tragedy by Richard Hughes; The Better Half by Noel Coward; I Want To Go Home by H. F. Maltby; APPENDICES; Appendix 1 London's Grand Guignol, 1920-22; Appendix 2 The Complete Repertoire of London's Grand Guignol, 1920-22; Appendix 3 Extract from Oh, Hell!!! A 'Revuette' by Reginald Arkell and Russell Thorndike; Bibliography.

‘...London’s Grand Guignol and the Theatre of Horror...’

‘...the book, to be published in November by University of Exeter Press.’

(The Observer, 16.09.07) ‘

...Richard J. Hand and Micheal Wilson, who have previously written on the French Grand Guignol for this excellent series from the University of Exeter Press, now turn to the English variant...’

‘...London’s Grand Guignol is a fine introduction to a neglected corner of the twentieth-century arts world.’ (TLS, 18. 04. 08) “Altogether this is a well-researched book on a fascinating piece of theatre history.”

(Year’s Work in English Studies, vol. 89, no. 1, 2010)

‘...London’s Grand Guignol allows Hand and Wilson to make a persuasive case for Grand Guignol’s place not only in modern theatre history, but also in the film history of thrillers and horror films. This book will be useful as a hands-on theatre history and practice text for programs where one might imagine offering students an opportunity to apply their creativity to the same challenges Jose Levy faced.’

(Theatre Survey, Vol 50/2, November 2009)

'Altogether this is a well-researched book on a fascinating piece of theatre history.'

(Year’s Work in English Studies, vol. 89, no. 1, 2010)

Richard J. Hand is Professor of Drama at the Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries, University of Glamorgan. Michael Wilson is Dean of the School of Media and Performance at University College, Falmouth. Together they have delivered workshops on Grand Guignol, and presented Grand Guignol performances at universities, international conferences and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.