Norman S. Poser is professor emeritus at Brooklyn Law School and author of the new book, The Birth of Modern Theatre: Rivalry, Riots, and Romance in the Age of Garrick. From his Q&A with Deborah Kalb:Q: You write that this book emerged from research on a previous book about a prominent 18th century judge. What intrigued you about the theater during that period?--Marshal Zeringue
A: I became interested in 18th century theater from working on my biography of Lord Mansfield, who presided as judge in several legal disputes involving theater people. The people, particularly Charles Macklin and Samuel Foote, had colorful personalities.
Also, theater people were friends of Mansfield. The more I learned about the actors and theater managers of that time, the more they interested me.
Q: Why did you start the first chapter with a description of a 1741 performance of The Merchant of Venice?
A: Macklin's portrayal of Shylock was revolutionary. It was a new acting style, which was a forerunner of the Method acting of people like Marlon Brando. Also, I felt that Macklin's own account of that evening in 1741 was...[read on]