Hauntological Dramaturgy: Affects, Archives, Ethics

This book explores how performance responds to the imperative "Remember Me" given by King Hamlet's ghost in Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, developing the concept of hauntological dramaturgy through engaging with performances that commemorate, celebrate, investigate, and seek justice for the dead. It draws on three interrelated discourses on haunting, including Derrida's hauntology, Abraham and Torok's psychoanalytic account, and Mark Fisher's and Simon Reynolds' development of Derrida's ideas in popular culture. Case studies focus on known and unknown figures, including Ian Charleson, Spalding Gray, and David Bowie.

Format: Hardback
Length: 166 pages
Publication date: 04 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the profound ways in which we commemorate and honor the memory of the deceased through performance. It explores the rich tapestry of dramaturgical techniques and strategies employed by artists to respond to the poignant command issued by King Hamlet's ghost in Shakespeare's renowned tragedy, Hamlet: "Remember Me." Through engaging with a diverse range of performances that commemorate, celebrate, investigate, and occasionally seek justice for the departed, the book develops the concept of hauntological dramaturgy.

Drawing upon three interrelated discourses on haunting—Derrida's hauntology, which encourages us to be with ghosts and listen to their stories; Abraham and Torok's psychoanalytic account of the role specters play in transmitting intergenerational trauma; and Mark Fisher's and Simon Reynolds' development of Derrida's ideas within the realm of popular culture—the book offers insightful strategies for reading and creating performances that delve into questions of commemoration.

Case studies featured in this study showcase a constellation of known and unknown figures, including Ian Charleson, Spalding Gray, and David Bowie. These captivating narratives shed light on the diverse ways in which artists and performers honor and remember the dead, employing a myriad of theatrical techniques and approaches to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and foster a deeper understanding of the human experience.

This study is of immense interest to students, scholars, and practitioners engaged in the fields of theatre and performance studies, as well as philosophy and cultural studies. It provides a rich and interdisciplinary framework for exploring the complex and multifaceted ways in which performance shapes our understanding of death, loss, and the enduring power of memory.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367407568