Theory/Theatre: An Introduction

by Mark Fortier

This is a new and enlarged edition of Mark Fortier's very successful and widely used essential text for students. Theory/Theatre provides a unique and engaging introduction to literary theory as it relates to theatre and performance. Fortier lucidly examines current theoretical approaches, from semiotics, poststructuralism, through cultural materialism, postcolonial studies and feminist theory.
This new edition includes:
* More detailed explanation of key ideas
* New 'Putting it into practice' sections at the end of each chapter so you can approach performances from specific theoretical perspectives
* Annotated further reading section and glossary.
Theory/Theatre is still the only study of its kind and is invaluable reading for beginning students and scholars of performance studies.

Genres: Theatre, Academic, Theory, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 29, 1997

About the author

Mark Fortier is a Professor of English at the University of Guelph (Canada). He has published on various topics involving Shakespeare, contemporary theatre, cultural studies and theory.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

less of an issue with this book and more my uninterest in the topic. i found myself really not caring at all. going from text to theory is far more interesting than theory to text imo

[Jeanmarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my world, it's exciting to find an introduction to critical theory geared specifically for undergraduates in theatre. This is a very good one.

[Pirus Porol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fortier maakt interessante paralellen tussen filosofie en theater theorie

[Regret Husk · Rating 5 out of 5]

cognitive "theory" btfo

[Arash Rabani]

به وقت کنکور دکتری تئاتر ۱۴۰۳

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The brief and accessible summaries of current theoretical approaches and the writings of their most influential proponents were the strongest parts of this book. Even aside from the book's theatrical focus, those summaries make it a useful resource. As for the applications of those theories to theater, I like that Fortier is pushing for the reexamination of language-based theories in order to offer something to performance/drama/theater, but some of the case studies worked for me, others seemed forced. (Caveat: I read the first edition, and Fortier substantially expanded his work in the second edition, so my complaints may no longer be relevant). I was impressed by the diversity of the 20th and 21st century drama included in this book, but I do think it's problematic to have Shakepeare as the only pre-20th century playwright discussed at any length. (Again, the revised edition may be more historically diverse).

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really top notch introduction to cultural/literary theory as it relates to theatre. As Fortier notes several times, an introduction is inherently limited and cannot do full justice to any of the theories it discusses, but I think this one is exceptionally well done. Many of the theories discussed are incredibly complex and difficult, and this intro does a good job of explaining them in fairly straight forward terms, and then making the theories more concrete by explaining how they relate to theatre in its practices and its own theories.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

While at times this was an incredibly dense read, I loved a lot of the parallels between theory and theatrical works. I read this introduction as a primer for an independent study, and it elicited a lot of ideas for coursework. There's not really any way to summarize all of the information, but essentially the book compares popular (read: at least recognizable) philosophy and cultural theory to 20th century dramatic works. Not always the most gripping, but for it's purpose it succeeds.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear and concise introduction to major theories working in theatre today. The author spared me major academic-speak and I know more now than I did before I started reading. I'll keep it as a reference and can anticipate using it often as such.

[Linsey]

Currently in process, more on this later

[Kim Siever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty academic, so it is tough slogging, but it is very informative.

[Royce Roeswood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well organized, breezy introduction to theatre theory that served to spark my curiosity with further questions and further reading.