Reading the Material Theatre by Ric Knowles

Reading the Material Theatre, Ric Knowles

In the introduction to the book, Knowles asks us to consider that meaning is produced in theatre as “a negotiation at the intersection of three shifting and mutually exclusive poles”: the performance, the conditions of performance and the conditions of reception (p. 3).

Consider:

• Theatrical performances are cultural productions (p. 10)
• The entire theatre experience, including the conditions (cultural and theatrical) of production and performance.
• The cultural politics of location and the cultural cachet surrounding the performance.
• The performance event and the performance text.