Tony Harrison

Harrison, Tony

ISBN 10: 0571197078 / ISBN 13: 9780571197071

Published by Faber & Faber, 2001

About this Item

First Edition Thus, First Printing. Published by Faber & Faber, 1999. Octavo. Paperback. Book is very good with light toning to pages and price sticker on back. 100% positive feedback. 30 day money back guarantee. NEXT DAY SHIPPING! Excellent customer service. Please email with any questions or if you would like a photo. All books packed carefully and ship with free delivery confirmation/tracking. All books come with free bookmarks. Ships from Sag Harbor, New York.

Seller Inventory # 193912

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Tony Harrison
• Publisher: Faber & Faber
• Publication Date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0571197078
• ISBN 13: 9780571197071
• Binding: Trade Paperback
• Edition: First Thus.
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Drama & Film

About this title

Synopsis

Introduction by Bernard O'Donaghue.

Bold, contemporary verse adaptations of the medieval Mystery Plays by England's greatest modern theatrical poet.

This first collection of Tony Harrison's poetry for the stage compiles his masterly adaptations of various medieval mystery plays. Rendered in highly alliterative verse, Harrison's plays are, as were their medieval counterparts, intended to make colloquial Northern English language and form a vehicle for the profound religious texts that describe the biblical epic of salvation. Original documents from the Middle Ages are the basis for Harrison's three-part cycle: The Nativity encompasses Creation, The Expulsion, The Flood, Abraham and Isaac, and The Birth of Christ; The Passion covers The Life and Crucifixion of Christ; and Doomsday takes in The Harrowing of Hell and The Last Judgment. Traditionally, mystery plays were acted and produced by the trade guilds, and Harrison recalls this in his use of props: a forklift transports God, a screwdriver serves as Christ's scepter, and a manhole cover is the mouth of Hell.

Drawing on pre-Renaissance English religious, linguistic, and theatrical tradition, these plays are part of a movement to celebrate English literature as it existed before the widespread cultural influence of continental Europe. In addition, this volume contains an Introduction that places these classic works in the context both of their medieval origins and of Harrison's own poetry.

About the Author

Tony Harrison is the acclaimed author of numerous poems for the stage, screen, and television. His most recent volume of work is Laureate's Block and Other Occasional Poems. He lives in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.