English Drama Since 1940 (Longman Literature In English Series) - Hardcover

Rabey, David Ian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 113817890X ISBN 13: 9781138178908

Publisher: Routledge, 2016

Synopsis

English Drama Since 1940 considers the bids of successive post-war dramatists to find language and images of remorseless disclosure, appropriate to the public manifestation of sensed crisis and the interrogation of the ideal of renewal.  This book introduces the period and its discourse whilst redefining them, to give proper consideration to developments of themes, styles, concerns and contexts from the 80s to the present.  The book offers succinct and analytical introductions to the work of 60 dramatists, whilst arguing for (re)appraisal of many dates critical perspectives, in order to stimulate further argument in the field.
 

About this title

From the Back Cover:

This book examines the most vital, varied and innovative period of English dramatic writing since Shakespeare and the Renaissance. It considers the major dramatists of this period, including Beckett, Pinter, Osborne, Wesker, Bond, Churchill, Barker, Cartwright and Kane.

English Drama Since 1940 considers the bids of successive post-war dramatists to find language and images which interrogate conventional relationships between power, sexuality and morality.  It shows how experimental British Drama has purposefully sought to be an art form through which private feelings can be expressed so as to have public consequences, and through which fictional physical confrontations can have personal repercussions for those who witness challenging events. It also notes how not only English but also Irish, Welsh and Scottish dramatists have sought critical dialogue with the dominant English terms of definition.

This book introduces the period and its discourses whilst redefining them, to give proper consideration to developments of themes, styles, concerns and contexts from the 80s to the present.  The book offers succinct and analytical introductions to the works of over 60 dramatists, whilst arguing for reappraisal of many dated critical perspectives, in order to stimulate further argument in the field.

DAVID IAN RABEY is Reader in Drama and Subject Leader of Theatre Studies at The University of Wales, Aberystwyth. His publications include British and Irish Political drama in the Twentieth Century (1986), Howard Barker: Politics and Desire (1989) and David Rudkin: Sacred Disobedience (1997). He is also a director, performer and dramatist.  

About the Author:

David Ian Rabey is Reader in Drama and Subject Leader of Theatre Studies at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.  He is also a dramatist, director and performer.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 113817890X
• ISBN 13: 9781138178908
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 264