Extreme Exposure: An Anthology of Solo Performance Texts from the Twentieth Century

by Jo Bonney (Editor)

Extreme An Anthology of Solo Performance Texts from the Twentieth Century , edited by director Jo Bonney, features the work of 42 solo artists spanning the century-from Beatrice Herford in 1869 to Dawn Akemi Saito in 1994. Each artists' work is introduced by a journalist, artist, critic, agent, producer or educator who is intimately familiar with the material and its links to other forms such as vaudeville, theatre, cabaret, music, standup comedy, poetry, the visual arts and dance. In Bonney's words, "This anthology documents a part of our literary/stage history and offers the possibility of its being appreciated in a new context, for a new generation." Includes work by Beatrice Herford, Jackie "Moms" Mabley, Ruth Draper, Lord Buckley, Brother Theodore, Lenny Bruce, Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner, Andy Kaufman, Ethyl Eichelberger, Laurie Anderson, Rachel Rosenthal, Spalding Gray, Eric Bogosian, Jessica Hagedorn, Diamanda Galás, Ann Magnuson, Rhodessa Jones, Tim Miller, John O'Keefe, Anna Deavere Smith, Danitra Vance, David Cale, Whoopi Goldberg, John Fleck, Reno, Heather Woodbury, Robbie McCauley, Lisa Kron, Brenda Wong Aoki, Guillermo Gómez-Peña, Holly Hughes, Luis Alfaro, John Leguizamo, Josh Kornbluth, Deb Margolin, Roger Guenveur Smith, Anne Galjour, Danny Hoch, Marga Gomez, Mike Albo and Virginia Heffernan, Dael Orlandersmith and Dawn Akemi Saito.

Genres: Theatre, Drama, Plays, Nonfiction, Poetry, College, Anthologies

450 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1999

Reviews

[Sofia]

Only read parts for school so I don’t think it’s fair to give it a complete rating.

[Aaron the Pink Donut · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a good introduction to the subject (solo monologue performance) -but not all inclusive or even close to definitive. 90% of the subjects in this book are from post 1970’s (granted-there isn’t much before 50’s but still……). All the people you expect to be here are here (Rachel Rosenthal, Eric Bogosian, Brother Theodore, etc) but some odd omissions and inclusions makes this a less than ideal reference text.

[Elliot]

If you want a limited selection of monologues from a select few artists, pick this book. they are all much of a muchness. Mostly New York artists, from the 70s onwards. Okay, the scene wasn't big anywhere else, but.I don't find the selection as representative as the editor proclaims.

[Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good survey of performance art texts from Fluxes onward.

[Ken Proudfoot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great minds and their works in one volume!! Every theater writer ought to own a copy. Lots of ideas and original writings.

[behsforensics]

Cutting is for Fontaine
By Whoopi Goldberg

Another Cutting is for Neferti-iti
By Ethyl Eichelberger

Yet another cutting is for Blood and Brains
By Roger Guenveur Smith