A collection of incisive investigations into the ways that 21st-century British theatre works with - and through - crisis. It pays particular attention to the way in which writers and practitioners consider the ethical and social challenges of crisis. Anchored in an interdisciplinary approach that draws from sociology, cultural theory, feminism, performance and philosophy, the book brings multi-faceted ideas into dialogue with the diverse aesthetics, practices and themes of a range of theatrical work produced in Britain since 2005. Topics discussed include: Ageing Austerity Gender Migrancy Multiculturalism Aesthetics Companies discussed include: Theatre Uncut Lost Dog Camden People's People Lung Brighton People's Theatre Phosphoros Theatre Playwrights discussed include: Jez Butterworth Caryl Churchill Tim Crouch Vivienne Franzmann James Graham debbie tucker green Ella Hickson Charlene James Lucy Kirkwood Simon Longman Cordelia Lynn Simon Stephens Jack Thorne Chris Thorpe Gloria Williams Building on recent publications in the area and engaging in dialogue with them, Crisis, Representation and Resilience considers how crisis is being re-thought and re-orientated through theatrical performance and the ways theatre invites us to respond to the many challenges of the contemporary times.

Artistic creativity is fuelled by the permanent interaction among artistic forms, cultures, societies, and eventually different individuals, in the form of an all-inclusive intertextuality. The dialogues between the past and the present help the artist examine his own art, making him conscious of his position in the field, whether through self-evaluation, renewal or experiment with new textualities. This book explores how the strategies reflecting the exchanges between past and present modes of artistic production become active agents of intervention in creating the various spaces of dialogue and confrontation when establishing the identities and cultural specificity of a certain society or community.