When we think of the contemporary British history play, why might we automatically think of playwrights such as David Hare, Howard Brenton, Peter Gill and Edward Bond? Because for decades the writing of the history play has been the preserve of the white male.
This book provides a vital feminist intervention into the dramaturgy of history plays, investigating work produced at major British theatres from 2000 to the present, written by a generation of innovative women playwrights.
This much-needed study explores the use of history – specifically Elizabethan, Restoration, Victorian and early 20th century – in contemporary playwriting in order to interrogate the gender politics of this work. Within the framework of contemporary feminism – including the pivotal #MeToo movement – the book looks at post-2000s feminist drama that somehow represents the past.
Through delving into the recurring tropes and their politics in the light of current feminist debate, the author helps us grasp how these plays essentially re-imagine gender politics. Plays that are considered include Emilia (Morgan Lloyd Malcolm), Swive [Elizabeth] (Ella Hickson), An August Bank Holiday Lark (Deborah McAndrew), The Empress (Tanika Gupta), Red Velvet (Lolita Chakrabarti), Scuttlers (Rona Munro), I, Joan (Charlie Josephine), Blue Stockings and Nell Gwynn (Jessica Swale), and the musical Six (Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss).

- 256 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
Feminism, Dramaturgy, and the Contemporary British History Play
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Table of contents
- Cover
- Halftitle Page
- Dedication Page
- Title Page
- Contents
- List of Figures
- Acknowledgements
- Introductory Chapter
- 1 The Wartime Woman: the impact of the centenary year on theatrical representations of the First World War
- 2 The Victorian Woman: identity politics in neo-Victorian performance
- 3 The Educated Woman: choice feminism and the love/career dichotomy
- 4 The Playwright as Historiographer
- 5 The Disruption
- Conclusion
- Appendix – Surveyed Theatre Archives
- Bibliography
- Index
- Imprint
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Yes, you can access Feminism, Dramaturgy, and the Contemporary British History Play by Rebecca Benzie in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Media & Performing Arts & Theatre Playwriting. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.