That Was Us: Contemporary Irish Theatre and Performance [Paperback]

In the wake of Irelands recent economic rise, fall, and associated social crises, theatre and performance have played vital roles in reflecting on the past, engaging the present, and imagining possible futures.

That Was Usfeatures a wide, rich range of critical essays and artist reflections that strive to make sense of some of the most significant shifts and trends in contemporary Irish theatre and performance.

Focusing on artists connected to the Dublin Theatre Festival, the book addresses work by the Abbey Theatre, ANU Productions, Brokentalkers, The Corn Exchange, Druid, Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre, the Gate Theatre, Landmark Productions, Rough Magic Theatre Company, THEATREclub, Theatre Lovett, Pan Pan, The Stomach Box and THISISPOPBABY, among others.

Some of the burgeoning forms and practices discussed include: site-specific and site-responsive theatre; testimonial, documentary, and biographical performance; dance theatre; theatre for children and families; new writing; and fresh takes on canonical writing staged at home or toured internationally.

In bringing together critics and artists to think side by side,That Was Usis indispensable for anyone interested in contemporary practices and cultural politics.

Contents

1. The Power of the Powerless: Theatre in Turbulent Times byFintan Walsh

ONE: Theatres of Testimony

2. ANU Productions and Site-Specific Performance: The Politics of Space and Place byBrian Singleton

3. Witnessing the (Broken) Nation: Theatre of the Real and Social Fragmentation in BrokentalkersSilver Stars,The Blue Boy, andHave I No MouthbyCharlotte McIvor

4. You Had to be There byLouise Lowe

TWO: Auto/Biographical Performance

5. Making Space: Female-Authored Queer Performance in Irish Theatre byOonagh Murphy

6. The Writing Life byHelen Meany

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