Reading the Material Theatre

This 2004 book demonstrates a method of theatrical performance analysis taking into account the entire theatre experience, from production to reception.

Ric Knowles (Author)

9780521644167, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 May 2004

248 pages, 10 b/w illus.
21.4 x 13.8 x 1.7 cm, 0.345 kg

"the breadth and complexity with which this book surveys a range of contemporary experimentation in the English-speaking world is illuminating and provocative." - Shannon Jackson

Reading the Material Theatre develops and demonstrates a method of theatrical performance analysis that takes into account the entire theatre experience, from production to reception. Beginning with semiotic and cultural materialist theory, Knowles quickly moves into detailed politicized analysis of the ways in which specific aspects of theatrical production, and specific contexts of reception, shape the audience's understanding of what they experience in the theatre. It concludes with five case studies of the cultural work performed by a major Shakespearean repertory theatre, a small nationalist theatre devoted to new play development, a major New York-based avant-garde touring theatre company, a British socialist company dedicated to the work of Shakespeare, and a range of international festivals. This accessible 2004 volume provides a first-step introduction to key terms and areas of performance theory, including reception history, performance analysis, and production analysis.

List of illustrations
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Part I. Theory and Practice: 1. Theory: towards a materialist semiotics
2. Practice: conditions of production and reception
Conclusion to Part I
Part II. Case Studies: 3. The Stratford Festival
4. Tarragon Theatre
5. The Wooster Group
6. The English Shakespeare Company
7. International festivals
Conclusion
Index.

Subject Areas: Theatre studies [AN]