The citadel on stage : the rise and decline of garrison theatre in Halifax

Abstract

This thesis traces theatre and other entertainments provided by French explorers and British military contingents stationed at garrisons in Annapolis Royal, Fort Anne, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, from 1606 to 1906. The narrative argues that politics, religion, and economics were involved in the social and cultural aspects of theatre and spectacle performed by garrison officers and men during that time. However, the main focus is the rise and decline of the garrison theatrical tradition in Halifax, from 1773 to 1874, in order to understand why the officers and men of the British military produced and acted in stage plays; why the men found it necessary to play the women's parts, and how the female actors were selected; why the repertoire of the garrison amateurs consisted mainly of comedy and farce; and what caused the decline and eventual grand finale of garrison theatre in Halifax.

Indexing (document details)