Modern Drama: A Very Short Introduction
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Author Description
The Story Of Modern Drama Is A Tale Of Extremes, Testing Both Audiences And Actors To Their Limits Through Hostility And Contrarianism. Spanning 1880 To The Present, Kirsten E. Shepherd-barr Shows How Truly International A Phenomenon Modern Drama Has Become, And How Vibrant And Diverse In Both Text And Performance. This Very Short Introduction Explores The Major Developments Of Modern Drama, Covering Two Decades Per Chapter, From Early Modernist Theatre Through Post-war Developments To More Recent And Contemporary Theatre. Shepherd-barr Tracks The Emergence Of New Theories From The Likes Of Brecht And Beckett Alongside Groundbreaking Productions To Illuminate The Fascinating Evolution Of Modern Drama. About The Series: The Very Short Introductions Series From Oxford University Press Contains Hundreds Of Titles In Almost Every Subject Area. These Pocket-sized Books Are The Perfect Way To Get Ahead In A New Subject Quickly. Our Expert Authors Combine Facts, Analysis, Perspective, New Ideas, And Enthusiasm To Make Interesting And Challenging Topics Highly Readable.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the evolution of modern drama from 1880 to the present, questioning how theater has functioned as a medium of hostility and contrarianism. Kirsten E. Shepherd-Barr, a professor of English and Theatre Studies, utilizes a chronological framework to analyze the shift in theatrical norms. She examines how playwrights and directors have consistently challenged audience expectations through both textual innovation and performance techniques.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A chronological survey of theater history from 1880 to the contemporary era.
- Analysis of major modernist movements including the works of Brecht and Beckett.
- Examination of the international expansion of dramatic theory and performance styles.
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide an exhaustive encyclopedia of every playwright or production.
- It focuses primarily on Western-centric developments and major theoretical shifts rather than regional folk traditions.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and readers frequently note the accessibility of this text, which serves as a concise entry point for students and theater enthusiasts. It is widely regarded as a reliable, high-level overview that effectively synthesizes complex theatrical history into a manageable format.
Page Count:
160
Publication Date:
2016-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0191636118
ISBN-13:
9780191636110
Non-Fiction
Drama
Modernism
Theater History
