An Introduction to Post-Colonial Theatre

In this book Brian Crow and Chris Banfield provide an introduction to post-colonial theatre by concentrating on the work of major dramatists from the Third World and subordinated cultures in the first world. Crow and Banfield consider the plays of such writers as Wole Soyinka and Athol Fugard and his collaborators from Africa; Derek Walcott from the West Indies; August Wilson and Jack Davis, who write from and about the experience of Black communities in the USA and Australia respectively; and Badal Sircar and Girish Karnad from India. Although these dramatists reflect diverse cultures and histories, they share the common condition of cultural subjection or oppression, which has shaped their theatres. Each chapter contains an informative list of primary source material and further reading about the dramatists. The book will be of interest to students and scholars of theatre and cultural history.

• This is the first book in the series Cambridge Studies in Modern Theatre • Offers an introductory survey of this expanding area of literature and theatre history • Each chapter contains an informative list of primary sources and further reading for each dramatist

Preface; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. Derek Walcott and a Caribbean theatre of revelation; 2. August Wilson’s theatre of the blues; 3. Jack Davis and the drama of Aboriginal history; 4. Wole Soyinka and the Nigerian theatre of ritual vision; 5. Athol Fugard and the South African ‘workshop’ play; 6. Badal Sircar’s third theatre of Calcutta; 7. Girish Karnad and an Indian theatre of roots; Conclusion; Further reading list; Index.