A collection of incisive investigations into the ways that 21st-century British theatre works with - and through - crisis. It pays particular attention to the way in which writers and practitioners consider the ethical and social challenges of crisis.

Anchored in an interdisciplinary approach that draws from sociology, cultural theory, feminism, performance and philosophy, the book brings multi-faceted ideas into dialogue with the diverse aesthetics, practices and themes of a range of theatrical work produced in Britain since 2005.

Topics discussed include:

Ageing Austerity Gender Migrancy Multiculturalism Aesthetics

Companies discussed include:

Theatre Uncut Lost Dog Camden People’s People Lung Brighton People’s Theatre

Phosphoros Theatre

Playwrights discussed include:

Jez Butterworth
Caryl Churchill
Tim Crouch
Vivienne Franzmann
James Graham
debbie tucker green
Ella Hickson
Charlene James
Lucy Kirkwood
Simon Longman
Cordelia Lynn
Simon Stephens
Jack Thorne
Chris Thorpe
Gloria Williams

Building on recent publications in the area and engaging in dialogue with them, Crisis, Representation and Resilience considers how crisis is being re-thought and re-orientated through theatrical performance and the ways theatre invites us to respond to the many challenges of the contemporary times.