Neoliberalism, Theatre and Performance

Neoliberalism,Theatre and Performance explores the impact of neoliberalism on contemporary theatre, dance, and performance, and how artists have responded to its influence. The book offers a broad overview of neoliberalism, examines its implications for the arts, and features discussions with festival programmers and artists.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 114 pages
Publication date: 12 August 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Neoliberalism, Theatre, and Performance delves into one of the most complex and consequential topics in culture and politics. Contributors define neoliberalism as a political-economic system, and the ideas and assumptions (individualism, market forces, and globalization) it promotes are subsequently analyzed. This book offers readers a comprehensive understanding of how neoliberalism shapes contemporary theatre, dance, and performance, as well as how festival programmers, directors, and other artists have responded to its influence.

Jen Harvie provides a broad overview of neoliberalism, exploring its implications for theatre and performance and highlighting specific works that challenge its grip, such as Churchill's Serious Money and Prebble's Enron. Liesbeth Groot Nibbelink engages in a fascinating discussion with Rainer Hofmann, artistic director of the SPRING Festival in Utrecht, on strategies for performance festivals to respond to neoliberal culture.

Cristina Rosa examines contemporary dance in neoliberal Brazil as a site of both commodification and resistance. Sarah Woods and Andrew Simms discuss and present excerpts from their activist satire, Neoliberalism: The Break-up Tour.

Neoliberalism, Theatre, and Performance is a concise and accessible resource for students, practitioners, and scholars interested in exploring how neoliberalism permeates and is resisted within the contemporary performance landscape. With its sleek design, compelling arguments, and wide-ranging coverage, this book is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the complex interplay between neoliberalism and the arts.

Weight: 118g
Dimension: 119 x 171 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367190439