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Playing for time

Stories of lost children, ghosts and the endangered present in contemporary theatre
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Playing for Time explores the intricate relationships between theatre time, historical moments, and fictional time in contemporary British theatre. Geraldine Cousin highlights the theatre's focus on themes of instability and danger, analysing a diverse range of plays and productions. The book prominently discusses Stephen Daldry's revival of Priestley's An Inspector Calls, alongside other works such as Caryl Churchill's Far Away and Bryony Lavery's Frozen, connecting theatrical portrayals with real-life tragedies like the Soham murders and the Beslan massacre.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for students, scholars, and enthusiasts of contemporary British theatre and drama studies, especially those interested in how theatre reflects and responds to historical and social crises.

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Playing for time explores connections between theatre time, the historical moment and fictional time. Geraldine Cousin persuasively argues that a crucial characteristic of contemporary British theatre is its preoccupation with instability and danger, and traces images of catastrophe and loss in a wide range of recent plays and productions.

Playing for time explores connections between theatre time, the historical moment and fictional time.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Playing for time explores connections between theatre time, the historical moment, and fictional time. Geraldine Cousin persuasively argues that a crucial characteristic of contemporary British theatre is its preoccupation with instability and danger. She traces images of catastrophe and loss in a wide range of recent plays and productions.

The diversity of the texts that are examined is a major strength of the book. In addition to plays by contemporary dramatists, Cousin analyses staged adaptations of novels and productions of plays by Euripides, Strindberg, and Priestley. A key focus is Stephen Daldry's award-winning revival of Priestley's An Inspector Calls, which is discussed in relation both to other Priestley 'time' plays and to Caryl Churchill's apocalyptic Far Away.

Lost children are a recurring motif: Bryony Lavery's Frozen, for example, is explored in the context of the Soham murders (which took place while the play was in production at the National Theatre), whilst three virtually simultaneous productions of Euripides' Hecuba are interpreted with regard to the Beslan massacre of schoolchildren.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780719061981

Publisher: Manchester University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 31 March 2013

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Manchester University Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 11.0mm

Width: 138.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 245g

Pages: 192

About the Author

Geraldine Cousin is Senior Lecturer in Theatre Studies at the University of Warwick

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