The Cambridge Companion to Modernist Theatre

The first panoramic survey of modernism's myriad theatrical permutations, this is an authoritative guide for students and researchers alike.

Brad Kent (Edited by), David Kornhaber (Edited by)

9781108831673, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 11 September 2025

334 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.652 kg

The first panoramic survey of its kind, The Cambridge Companion to Modernist Theatre is a wide-ranging guide to modernism's myriad theatrical manifestations and permutations. Covering such diverse movements as naturalism, symbolism, expressionism, surrealism, dadaism, futurism, and absurdism and ranging over many genres, including comedy, tragedy, the play of ideas, agitprop, and epic theatre, the book provides a comprehensive examination of how theatre was shaped by modernism – and in turn shaped it – as it was practised around the globe. Arranged into two halves focusing respectively on theatrical forms and major themes, the volume features chapters examining how modernist playwrights, scenographers, actors, and directors engaged with such key social, political, and cultural issues of the day as philosophy, science, religion, sexuality, gender, race, intermediality, and interculturalism. An authoritative resource for students and researchers alike, this Companion attests to the pertinence of theatre and modernism both historically and in the contemporary world.

Part I. Forms and Genres: 1. Naturalism Lawrence Switzky
2. Problem Plays, Discussion Plays, and Plays of Ideas Brad Kent
3. Symbolism and Expressionism Julia A. Walker
4. Futurism, Dadaism and Surrealism Stanton B. Garner, Jr.
5. Agitprop and Epic Theatre Jennifer Buckley
6. Theatre of the Absurd Emilie Morin
7. Tragedy Olga Taxidou
8. Comedy Sos Eltis
Part II. Themes and Issues: 9. Philosophy and Theory David Kornhaber
10. Science Daniel Ibrahim Abdalla and Kirsten E. Shepherd-Barr
11. Religion Rebecca Kastleman
12. Sexuality Penny Farfan
13. Race Paul J. Edwards
14. Intermediality James Moran
15. Interculturism Brian Singleton
16. Geographies and Temporalities E.J. Westlake.

Subject Areas: Theatre studies [AN]