Magic, Trick-Work, and Illusion in the Vampire Plays
MAGIC, TRICK-WORK, AND ILLUSION IN THE VAMPIRE PLAYS by THOMAS LEONARD COLWIN, B.A., M.A. A DISSERTATION IN FINE ARTS Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Texas Tech University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Approved Accepted Dean^f the Graduate School August, 1987 30I c 1987 Thomas Leonard Colwln ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am indebted to Professor Forrest Newlin for his direction of this dissertation and to the other members of my committee. Professors Kenneth Ketner, Richard Weaver, Michael Gerlach and Michael Stoune for their helpful criticisms. I also wish to acknowledge the invaluable assistance and support of my friend, Esther Lichti. Finally, I wish to express my deep gratitude to my wife, Jane, for her tireless support, helpful criticism, and unending hard work in the preparation of this study. 11 CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ii CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION: MAGIC IN THE THEATRE 1 II. THEATRICAL ILLUSION 10 III. MAGICAL ILLUSION 24 IV. ILLUSION VERSUS ILLUSION 35 V. TRICK-WORK IN THE VAMPIRE PLAYS 44 VI. CONCLUSION: MAGIC FOR THE THEATRE 87 ENDNOTES 92 BIBLIOGRAPHY 102 APPENDIX 110 111 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION: MAGIC IN THE THEATRE Magic has always held a place in the world of the theatre. Within the whole of dramatic literature there exists a body of plays which all contain elements of the magical, the mystical, the supernatural. Some of these plays have only overtones of the paranormal, but a great many more call for seemingly magical or supernatural events to be realized on the stage. As far back as the fifth century, B.C., the Greeks used devices like the mechane, or crane, to give the illusion of Perseus on his flying horse or of various gods descending from the heavens.
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