If violence is a terrible thing, why do we watch it? Nevitt explores the use of violence in theatre and its effect on spectators. Critically engaging with examples of stage combat, rape, terrorism, wrestling and historical re-enactments, she argues that studying violence through theatre can be part of a desire to create a more peaceful world.

A new title in this highly successful and established series of 'short, sharp shots' for Theatre students
Violence often characterises a play, and it is an integral part of many performances of varying genres
Uniquely considers violence in performance through the lens of both practice and theory, which comparable titles do not do

Autorentext
Lucy Nevitt was formerly Senior Lecturer in Theatre Studies at the University of the West of England, UK.

Inhalt
Series Editors' Preface.- Foreword by Catherine Cusack .- Introduction: Two Examples of Spectating Violence .- 1. Thinking about Theatre and Violence .- 2. Spectatorship .- 3. Cause and Effect .- 4. The Act of Showing: Performativity and Ideology .- 5. History and Canonical Violence .- 6. Actuality and Simulation .- 7. Beyond Performance .- Conclusion.- Further Reading.- Acknowledgements.- Index.