Harlequin Britain: Pantomime and Entertainment, 1690-1760

O’Brien (English, U. of Virginia) explores the extensive public debate over the theatrical form known as pantomime, which fused Continental commedia dell’arte characters, classical mythology, dance, opera, acrobatics, and farce but developed into a distinctive British art form pivoting on the commedia dell’arte character Harlequin. He emphasizes how the issues first raised then about the propriety of diversions continue today in debates about mass entertainment. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)