Adventures in Feminist Dramaturgy: The Road Less Traveled

Laura Hope and Philippa Kelly explore feminist dramaturgy as a field of enquiry and performance possibility, using first-hand interviews with directors, actors, designers, and critics, and their own experiences in the theatre. They argue for closer textual and cultural analyses of misguided ventures such as the Lysistrata Project and highlight the difficulty of challenging audience preconceptions. Adventures in Dramaturgy concludes with the authors' personal journey to forge new directions within a specific theatre company and in the professional world.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 190 pages
\n Publication date: 01 January 2021
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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In their captivating exploration of feminist dramaturgy, Laura Hope and Philippa Kelly delve into the realm of contemporary theatre-making, employing a vibrant and thought-provoking approach. Through firsthand interviews with directors, actors, designers, and critics, as well as their own experiences within the theatre, they unveil feminist dramaturgy as a fertile field of inquiry and a realm of performance possibilities.

The authors commence their journey by delving into the intriguing dynamics that arise when a dramaturg's artistic strategies diverge significantly from the vision of a director. This insightful discussion seamlessly flows into Hope and Kelly's analysis of canonical plays, their aim being to re-examine these works through a feminist lens while simultaneously resisting the notion that a feminist perspective constitutes a rigid political or social agenda. With a critical eye cast upon mainstream approaches to classical plays, the authors revisit casting practices, editing philosophies, and directorial concepts that perpetuate shallow and stereotypical portrayals of male and female characters. They advocate for a deeper textual and cultural exploration of misguided ventures, such as the Lysistrata Project, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of these plays.

The authors' commentary on appeals to audience involvement sheds light on the challenges of challenging audience preconceptions and the potential for expanding audience reception. They discuss the importance of engaging with audiences in meaningful ways and offer insightful insights into the possibilities for creating immersive and transformative theatrical experiences. Furthermore, they expose the counterproductive rigidity exhibited by organizations like the Beckett estate, which resist new approaches to theatrical production, emphasizing the potential of feminist dramaturgy to revitalize plays like Waiting for Godot.

Adventures in Dramaturgy concludes with the authors sharing their personal journey of forging new directions within a specific theatre company and in the broader professional world. They reflect on the transformative power of feminist dramaturgy and its ability to inspire and challenge artists, directors, and audiences alike. Through their compelling narrative and insightful analysis, Hope and Kelly offer a valuable contribution to the ongoing discourse on gender, theatre, and the creative process.

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Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781409465584\n \n