what a grand book! a must read!! Thank you to Netgalley and Endeavor Press and The Odyssey Press for the perusal. I loved this book and what a bunch of wonderful insights and tidbits !! God Bless the Theatre!!!!

Seven Stages is broken up into seven short, detailed biographies of seven theatrical luminaries: Elizabethan playwright, Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593); French comedy great, Molière (1622-1673); “the best-known tragedienne”, Sarah Siddons (1755-1831); Italian opera composer, Verdi (1813-1901); the “Swedish Nightingale”, Jenny Lind (1820-1887); Victorian actor-manager, Henry Irving (1838-1905) and Russian prima ballerina, Anna Pavlova (1881-1931). Many of these figures were already known to me, except Siddons and Lind. Already known or new, it was fascinating to find out more about their lives as well as the influential work they are famous for.

I found myself utterly caught up as Trease took me on a theatrical adventure across Europe, starting back in 1622 with Marlowe and bringing me all the way forward to 1931 with Pavlova. In between, we were able to investigate many forms of theatre: drama, comedy, opera, tragedy, melodrama and ballet. Plus we got to see these theatre figures and forms in the context of their place, society and time, including: Marlowe and the Elizabethan playhouse, Molière in the Paris and Versailles of Louis the Fourteenth, and Siddons in the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane of the eighteenth century. Whether you’re a fan of theatre or just history in general, I think there is something for everyone here.

On top of the excellent content, I thought the research, detail and layout were great too. And, I think Trease has got the balance right between the academic detail and the easily readable style and language – if I hadn’t known it was published back in 1964, I could have easily believed this was published only this year! I hadn’t read anything by Geoffrey Trease before. After reading this though, I would definitely be interested in reading more. He has also written the Seven Queens of England and Seven Kings of England, which sound right up my street. So they may have to go on my wish list.

Overall, I thought Seven Stages was an absolutely fascinating history of the stage, which I devoured in only a few sittings.

Book received from NetGalley.

This was a very interesting little book. It is a reprint of an older book that has gone out of print. It is seven biographies of various people who have made their living on the stage at various times in our history. It begins with Christopher Marlowe writer and ends with Anna Pavlova ballerina and covers quite a bit of history for such a short book. The biography I enjoyed the most was Jenny Lind who I have read of but knew very little of her life prior to becoming "The Swedish Nightingale". I have seen some call this a children's book but I believe that anyone would enjoy it.

Firstly, Geoffrey Trease clearly loves the number seven, since all his books revolve around seven figures. In Seven Stages he has selected an interesting group of players through which to chart the history of theatre, from the rise of the Elizabethan playhouses to the turn of the twentieth century. From the short length of the work, you will ascertain that these portraits are really only snapshots, yet they are skilfully done, and in the bibliography he offers suggestion for further reading. Overall, I found Seven Stages a delightful, fun review of the history of theatre and performance and I am certainly inspired to read more about several of the figures in the future.

I absolutely loved this book. I love to read about historical figures and this was right up my alley. I also like the fact that the publisher is making sure to reprint this book. Thank you so much!

Excellent!