Theatre and Ethics

by Nicholas Ridout

What is ethics and what has it got to do with theatre?

Theatre & Ethics is about how to act. It explores theatre as a practice through which we experiment with ethical action. Drawing on vivid examples from Sophocles through Shakespeare, to Brecht and the contemporary theatre of Goat Island and Socìetas Raffaello Sanzio, the book highlights key moments in the history of theatre as an ethical practice and raises fundamental questions about what theatre is for and how audiences interact with it. 

Genres: Theatre, Nonfiction

80 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2009

About the author

Nicholas Ridout is the only professor of theatre who also writes and researches extensively on the history and politics of the Middle East. He has worked with Jeremy Jones on research in Oman since 1989, alongside his successful career as an academic in theatre and performance studies.

Reviews

[Ben Henry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for my dissertation at drama school. Interesting subject matter, and I think the author makes some interesting points. I think I may come back to it for various reasons in the future to remind myself of his insights. I do think the language can be quite inaccessible and very dense at times. The most interesting point made was in the final sentence:

“Theatre’s greatest ethical potential may be found precisely at the moment when theatre abandons ethics”.

[Dísa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting subject matter but the language was difficult and hard to understand. Although it is short it is not an easy read.

[sash ! · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for my ethics & theatre class. some very interesting insights! maybe i'm just not used to reading texts like these but it felt a little needlessly wordy. like, some ideas felt so caught up in their attempt to be worded intellectually that i lost the actual message that ridout was trying to convey with them. 🤷

[Maria Cullimore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much of the excellency from this book comes from its inherently interesting subject matter - an important link for any creative to be aware of. However, the restricting format of the series means that whilst many ideas are touched upon, you are left with the feeling that the book would be better for subdividing topics beyond the three broad time periods provided. Nevertheless an essential read to wet the appetite in this field.