Staging the Past in the Age of Thatcher [electronic resource] : "The History We Haven't Had" /
Pennino, Anthony P.author.
This book investigates how the British theatrical community offered an alternative and oppositional historical narrative to the heritage culture promulgated by the Thatcher and Major Governments in the 1980s and early 1990s. It details the challenges the theatre faced, especially reductions in government funding, and examines seminal playwrights of the period – including but not limited to Caryl Churchill, Howard Brenton, Sarah Daniels, David Edgar, and Brian Friel – who dramatized a more inclusive vision of history that gave voice to traditionally marginalized communities. It employs James Baldwin’s concept of witnessing as the means by which history could be deployed to articulate an alternative and emergent political narrative: “the history we haven’t had”. This book will appeal to students and scholars of theatre and cultural studies as well as theatre practitioners and enthusiasts.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Introduction: A Snowy Night in December -- 2. Competing Histories -- 3. Plays of the First Thatcher Ministry: “To the world’s end. To the churchyard grave” -- 4. Plays of the Second Thatcher Ministry: “Demolition needs a drawing, too” -- 5. Plays of the Third Thatcher Ministry: “I shall destroy your power to resist” -- 6. Plays of the Two Major Ministries: “Let them see we are happy” -- 7. Conclusion: May 2, 1997 and Beyond.
This book investigates how the British theatrical community offered an alternative and oppositional historical narrative to the heritage culture promulgated by the Thatcher and Major Governments in the 1980s and early 1990s. It details the challenges the theatre faced, especially reductions in government funding, and examines seminal playwrights of the period – including but not limited to Caryl Churchill, Howard Brenton, Sarah Daniels, David Edgar, and Brian Friel – who dramatized a more inclusive vision of history that gave voice to traditionally marginalized communities. It employs James Baldwin’s concept of witnessing as the means by which history could be deployed to articulate an alternative and emergent political narrative: “the history we haven’t had”. This book will appeal to students and scholars of theatre and cultural studies as well as theatre practitioners and enthusiasts.
Theater-History.
Theater.
Performing arts.
Theatre History.
National/Regional Theatre and Performance.
Performing Arts.