English Canadian Theatre, 1765-1826

Book excerpt: English Canadian Theatre, 1765-1826 focuses on the development of amateur and professional dramatic companies from Quebec City and Montreal to Atlantic Canada and Ontario. Based on primary sources like newspaper advertisements, reviews, playbill collections, and other materials, Dr. Bains's book is part of the revisionist trend to correct the earlier negative impressions about Canadian culture. It gives a concise picture of the struggle for theatre in small colonial settlements and stresses the initiative of settlers in strengthening their cultural institutions.