Bibliothèque mondiale du cheval

« Few periods in the history of the theatre offer a richer, more varied field for study than the early nineteenth century. Particularly in France and England, both sociologic and economic changes contributed to the creation of a new class of playgoer, whose demands —demands that either could or would not be met by the major theatres of the time— resulted in an unprecedented proliferation of new theatres and dramatic forms. The new playgoer came from the working classes. His rising influence in the metropolitan areas of London and Paris was the result of the increasing industrialization and urbanization which had begun in the eighteenth century. His appearance in the theatre (certainly not occasioned by any surplus of wealth or leisure time) may best be understood as an attempt to escape the oppressive realities of twelve and fourteen-hour workdays, tenement existence, and relentless poverty and to enjoy, however fleetingly, the illusory world of pasteboard beauty, of remote and imaginary lands peopled by heroic and supernatural beings, of suspenseful, action-packed adventures where virtue always triumphed and Providence often took a hand in the final dispensing of justice.[…]. » Présentation de l’éditeur (1968)