English Drama Since 1940

Considers the bids of successive post-war dramatists to find language and images of remorseless disclosure, appropriate to the public manifestation of sensed crisis and the interrogation of the ideal of renewal David Rabey introduces the period and its discourse while redefining them, to give proper consideration to developments of themes, styles, concerns and contexts from the 80s to the present. The book offers succinct and analytical introductions to the work of 60 dramatists, while arguing for (re)appraisal of many dates critical perspectives, in order to stimulate further argument in the field. For those interested in Modern English drama.

David Ian Rabey is Reader in Drama and Subject Leader of Theatre Studies at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. He is also a dramatist, director and performer.