A mailing list for NEW OLD THEATER, dedicated to the study and revival of 18th and 19th century plays in the original performance style. Join this group to receive notices of workshops, auditions, and performances.
This is not a discussion group.
Questions will be anwered by individual email unless deemed of general interest.

Also check our website for information on our lamp-lit productions. NOTICE: OUR WEBSITE HAS CHANGED TO
(http://www.newoldtheater.org)

Buff Huntley's blog on Victorian Theater (Recommended)
(http://www.thecrushedtragedian.blogspot.com/)

Past productions:

BLACK-EYED SUSAN, or; ALL IN THE DOWNS a "Maritime" Melodrama by Douglas Jerrold, English playwright, humorist (1803-1837). Presented at Riversdale Mansion in Riverdale, Maryland, May 21,22, and 23, 2004

OUR AMERICAN COUSIN (1858) Performed at Indian Head, Maryland; Laurel, Maryland; and Boonesboro, MD summer 2005
Baltimore and Takoma Park, MD Summer 2007

2006- Canine Melo-drama CAESAR, or; THE WATCHDOG OF THE CASTLE

AN EVENING OF VICTORIAN THEATER featuring The Stage Struck Yankee and King Lear Act 5 Takoma Park and Baltimore September 2007

THE VAMPIRE by Planche-The very first Vampire play (1820)
Riverdale Park, MD, Baltimore, MD October,2008

Why 19th century acting style?
Before television, movies, and radio, there was a demand for entertainment. Fewer types of entertainment were available. All classes of people attended the theater. Even some remote rural areas were visited by traveling companies of players. Playwrites cranked out material quickly in an effort to bring it quickly to the stage.
Plays with topical material give us a way to study some of the attitudes and morality of the times. Our productions aim to be close to time travel, so the play can be seen in its historical context.
For more on Melodrama, browse the "Files and "Links" sections.