Our Stage and Its Critics By "E.F.S." of "The Westminster Gazette"

Our Stage and Its Critics by Edward Fordham Spence, writing as "E.F.S." of The Westminster Gazette, is a spirited and candid examination of the English theatre at the turn of the 20th century. Published in 1910, this classic work of theatre criticism surveys decades of dramatic life, diagnosing waste, commercialism, and the damaging grip of tradition while insisting that genuine British talent exists and awaits proper cultivation. Spence blends historical perspective with sharp commentary, charting progress and missed opportunities across English, Scottish, and Irish stages. He praises Ireland’s nascent National Theatre movement and Glasgow’s energetic experiments under Alfred Wareing, while urging a more sincere, national approach to drama rather than mere imitation. Themes of artistic misuse, institutional failure, and cultural potential recur, and his clear, persuasive essays showcase a critic both hopeful and forthright. Ideal for students of theatre history, playwrights, actors, and anyone fascinated by cultural criticism, this audiobook offers an illuminating snapshot of a pivotal era in British drama and a compelling plea for a theatre worthy of its nation.