Theatre and Marxism

By Shane Boyle

How did the 2008 financial crisis reignite interest in Marxist thought, not only in the academy but also in mainstream culture and activist movements?

This resurgence is evident in theatre, where artists and scholars have turned to Marxist ideas to better understand capitalism and explore possibilities for a just society organized beyond the imperatives of profit and growth. Theatre and Marxism takes this revival as an opportunity to examine how Marxism has influenced theatre, and how theatre has shaped Marxist theory and struggle.

Organised into five chapters, it provides concise overviews of major currents in Marxist thought while showcasing significant moments of struggle, always foregrounding theatre's role in both theory and praxis. It combines careful analysis of plays and performance art with accounts of noteworthy events in theatre history from the past 150 years.

Theatre and Marxism offers an accessible yet rigorous introduction to one of modern history's most influential intellectual traditions, making it essential reading for students and scholars interested in how capitalism has shaped the modern stage-and how theatre, in turn, has fought back.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1350591297
• ISBN13: 9781350591295
• Release Date: July 2027
• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.4" x 7.0"