Performing Religion on the Secular Stage

Sharon Aronson-Lehavi

Research output: Book/ReportBookpeer-review

Abstract

This book examines the relations between Western religion, secularism, and modern theater and performance. Sharon Aronson-Lehavi posits that the ongoing cultural power of religious texts, icons, and ideas on the one hand and the artistic freedom enabled by secularism and avant-garde experimentalism on the other, has led theatre artists throughout the twentieth century to create a uniquely modern theatrical hybrid-theater performances that simultaneously re-inscribe and grapple with religion and religious performativity. The book compares this phenomenon with medieval forms of religious theater and offers deep and original analyses of significant contemporary works ranging from plays and performances by August Strindberg, Hugo Ball (Dada), Jerzy Grotowski, and Hanoch Levin, to those created by Adrienne Kennedy, Rina Yerushalmi, Deb Margolin, Milo Rau, and Sarah Ruhl. The book analyzes a new and original historiography of a uniquely modern theatrical phenomenon, a study that is of high importance considering the reemergence of religion in contemporary culture and politics.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationLondon; New York
PublisherRoutledge, Taylor & Francis Group
Number of pages134
ISBN (Electronic)9781003042730
ISBN (Print)9781032225487, 9780367487522
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameRoutledge advances in theatre & performance studies

Bibliographical note

ix, 134 pages

Keywords

  • Performing arts -- Religious aspects
  • Religion in literature
  • Theater -- Religious aspects

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