Between the Lines

Reviews / Votes

An astute and illuminating exploration of some highways and byways in the theory and philosophy of theatre, with the author teasing out, and helping to resolve, often intriguing complexities in such topics as representation, characters, spectators, performance, metaphor, truthfulness, curiosity, and empty spaces, relating to theatre. All in all, a valuable addition to the field. * Peter Lamarque, Author of The Philosophy of Literature, and Work and Object: Explorations in the Metaphysics of Art * Nearly every issue of philosophical aesthetics applies specifically to theater, combining as it does elements of literature, poetry, music, dance, architecture. Bennett's ambitious study addresses a hefty subset of these issues, but also explores, what he takes to be rather unique to theater, the space between text and performance, where much of the action and much of the fun happens. * Kendall L. Walton, Author of Mimesis as Make-Believe * Michael Y. Bennett's compelling book, Between the Lines: A Philosophy of Theatre, examines the relationship between theater's words, or dramatic dialogue, and the conceptual theatricality inhabited by actual performers with real bodies onstage... The book is a disquisition on the fundamental substance of theatrical reality and the audience's engagement with this reality... This complex, thought-provoking book will stimulate discussions among philosophers and theater practitioners. * David Krasner, Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism * It is unfortunate that in the world of philosophical aesthetics, theater is underexplored, and Between the Lines is a welcome addition to the field... Bennett has attempted to capture and describe the ephemeral nature of theater in performance, and this book offers an intriguing direction one might take in answering the fundamental philosophical questions about the practice. * Jeremy Killian, Eugene O'Neill Review *