Working from the premise that the stage performers primary functions derive from celebrative rituals; this book describes the figure of the actor as anti-character in premodern popular theatre. Particularly in plays belonging to the popular; performative tradition; the actor simultaneously impersonated and subverted the character of the playtext. By doing so; he affirmed the ritual-celebrative authority of the performer and audience over the ideological authority of the written text. Included are close analyses of three major playtexts in performance: Aristophanes Frogs; the medieval mystery plays; and Shakespeares As You Like It.The introduction briefly lays out the basic theatrical theory underlying the phenomenon of actor as anti-character. The book then explores three paradigmatic figures: the god Dionysus; archetypal model of the comic actor; the Devil; as both farcical individual and wild demonic chorus; who brought carnival disruption to medieval religious drama; and the Elizabethan boy player of Rosalind in Shakespeares As You Like It who; using the marketplace techniques of traditional popular performance; colluded with his rowdy audience to subvert a sophisticated character from a literary romance.
#4422426 in eBooks 2000-06-30 2000-06-30File Name: B000PC0VW0
Review
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful. Very InformativeBy Leng Ho KeatA Stitch In Time is a very good read.While some academics tend to write books that are beyond the comprehension of mere mortals; this book is very readable; even to a layman like me who has no previous experience in the fashion/apparel/textiles business. The authors have explained techniques in manufacturing and theoretical concepts very clearly. Although it is obvious that much research has been done; the authors did not bore the reader with useless facts and figures just to prove the amount of research that has been done. Rather; significant findings were highlighted whenever appropriate; which made the book more interesting and comprehensible.The authors believe that a new form of retailing; defined as lean retailing by the authors; will soon make its impact in the retail industry. Major retailers; like Wal-Mart; already practise this form of retailing. The theory of lean retailing propose that as there is an increase in product proliferation; and as customers demand quicker response times; retailers will "force" suppliers to replenish supplies at shorter intervals with smaller quantities. This will reduce inventory; cost and risk. While suppliers may choose to hold more inventories to satisfy lean retailers like Wal-Mart; it is a short-term solution. It is merely pushing the ineffectiveness of the system from retailers to apparel manufacturers. A better way is to re-look the industry from a channel angle; i.e. the whole chain of retailer-supplier-textile manufacturer. How can the channel be more effective as a whole? The authors believe information integration and co-operation is the key.While the focus of the book has been on the fashion/apparel/textiles industry; I believe the concepts can also be applied to other industries. In fact; I believe the concepts were "borrowed" from more advanced industries like automobile manufacturing. Some of the concepts are similar to concepts in operations management like JIT; sales forecasting; etc.I recommend this book to anyone in the retail business. This book will change your mindset of traditional retailing; whether you are in the fashion retail or not. I also recommend this book to people who are interested in exploiting IT for the exchanging of information between suppliers and retailers. I have learnt a lot from the book and I am sure many readers will agree with me.15 of 15 people found the following review helpful. A welcome in-depth look at the effects of the IT revolutionBy A CustomerThe book goes beyond the hyped-up jargon of e-commerce and information technology and instead provides a nuts and bolts understanding of the actual impact of these trends on businesses; workers and the American economy. While it focuses on just one industry (one with which we can all identify; as consumers of clothing and customers of the Walmarts; J. Crews and Dillards of the world); it gives a much broader understanding of the trends and forces that will eventually shape most industres; and affect who wins and loses in this emerging "IT" economy.The book is eminently readable; packed with real world examples and crisp analysis of trends that we hear about frequently in the popular press; but rarely see investigated in any real detail.13 of 15 people found the following review helpful. Review of A Stitch in TimeBy Jane CollinsThis is an extremely lively and readable account of changes in the U.S. apparel industry. It challenges the prevailing assumption that the industry is doomed to move offshore in its entirety. The authors argue persuasively that there will be a continuing need for apparel production in the U.S. by firms that cooperate more closely with retailers; and meet the demand for timely production. In addition; the authors present a fascinating history of the industry and a wonderfully detailed discussion of its changing technology. This book is useful to those interested specifically in the apparel industry; but also as a case study of how new information technologies are reshaping U.S. industries more generally.