Each chapter in this important critical reader tackles the theory and practice of modern performance work, and enables students and teachers to see what is at stake in analysing dance, drama, music and videos using contemporary critical theories. Including Elizabeth Wright on psychoanalysis, Baz Kershaw on the politics of performance, Jatinder Verma on multiculturalism, E. Ann Kaplan on MTV and video, Lizabeth Goodman on feminism and AIDS, Stephen Connor on postmodernism and many others.
Introduction - interpretations and issues, Patrick Campbell.
Part 1 Feminisms and performance:
feminisms and theatres: canon fodder and cultural change, Lizbeth Goodman;
bodies of knowledge: dance and feminist analysis, Alexandra Carter;
gender as sign-system - the feminist spectator as subject, Elaine Aston;
new perspectives - feminism and music, Sophie Fuller;
feminism(s)/postmodernism(s) - MTV and alternate women's videos and performance art, E. Ann Kaplan.
Part 2 Postmodernism, poststructuralism, politics and performance:
postmodern performance, Stephen Connor;
postmodern dance and the politics of resistance, Valerie A. Briginshaw;
the politics of performance in a postmodern age, Baz Kershaw;
reading difficulties; Sandra Kemp;
psychoanalysis and the theatrical - analyzing performance, Elizabeth Wright.
Part 3 Issues in performance:
the challenge of "Binglish" - analyzing multi-cultural productions, Jatinder Verma;
AIDS and live art, Lizbeth Goodman;
does authenticity matter? the case for and against authenticity in the performing arts, Sarah Rubidge;
"sexing the cherry" - high or low art? distinctions in performance, Lucy O'Brien;
changing perspectives, Ruth Tompsett;
bodies politic, proscribed and perverse: censorship and the performing arts, Patrick Campbell
Select bibliography
Index
