Theatre and Performance in Neoliberal Ireland
Description
Between 2012 and 2023 Ireland commemorated the centenaries of the significant revolutionary events that led ultimately to independence, through a series of performances that attempted to uncover and re-present the hidden histories of the emergence of Ireland as a 'Free State' and ultimately a Republic, though still partitioned. But how do you represent history one hundred years on when the ideals of revolutionaries from the past conflict with the realities of contemporary neoliberal governmentalism? This book examines productions during this 'Decade of Centenaries' that reflected, refracted and contested national narratives of the past to allow new narratives to emerge from the archives into a context of seismic constitutional change by popular vote (on marriage equality and a woman's right to choose), as well as an uprising by theatre makers calling for gender equality and safe spaces to create. It also examines the politico-economic contexts (financial crash, austerity and a pandemic) that impacted on how performances were made and experienced.
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Person
Brian Singleton is Fellow Emeritus in Drama at Trinity College Dublin, and until 2025 he was Samuel Beckett Professor of Drama & Theatre, and Academic Director of The Lir - National Academy of Dramatic Art. He has published widely on orientalism and interculturalism in performance from the 19th century onwards. His research on Irish theatre includes the monographs Masculinities and the Contemporary Irish Theatre and ANU Productions: The Monto Cycle (Palgrave Macmillan), and his most recent journal articles appeared in Orbis Litterarum and Contemporary Theatre Review. Brian is former Editor of Theatre Research International and former President of the International Federation for Theatre Research. In 2012 he and Janelle Reinelt won the ATHE Excellence in Editing Award for their 40-volume book series 'Studies in International Performance' published by Palgrave Macmillan. He also edited with Elaine Aston a further 24-volume book series 'Contemporary Performance Inter Actions' for Palgrave Macmillan.
Content
Chapter 1: Introduction: Risings, Riots and Neoliberal Times.- Chapter 2: Citizens X.- Chapter 3: Performing Citizenship, Mercantilism and History in the Neoliberal City.- Chapter 4: Women, Histories and Obstinate Memories.- Chapter 5: Healing Histories: Imagined and Verbatim Voices, Books, Treaties and Agreements.- Chapter 6: Performance, Health and the Neoliberal State.- Chapter 7: Performance and the Pandemic in Neoliberal Times.- Chapter 8: Performance of Normativity and Burnout in Post-Neoliberal Times.- Chapter 9: Conclusion.