Abstract

The notion of sacred has long informed the work of British dramatists such as Harold Pinter and Tom Stoppard, and Ralph Yarrow’s Sacred Theatre is the first book to examine the role of the sacred in the practice, process and performance of drama. The volume considers the definition of the terms ‘sacred’ and theatre and suggests that the joining of the two is a unique experience for writer, performer and viewer. It examines how such an ambiguous term is defined and how sacred can be represented and expressed through performance. These ideas form an animated dialogue and delve into the heart of playwrights’ and audiences’ ongoing relationship with all things spiritual. Yarrow draws upon elements of sociology, anthropology and critical theory as well as analytical readings of an array of plays, texts and performances, allowing room for personal experiences of what is sacred and examination of how theatre interacts with the otherworldly. The book investigates structural understandings and functions of the sacred in theatre, offering stimulation for discussion within performance and theatre teaching. Sacred Theatre provides an engaging multi-disciplinary approach to the sacred in theatre and performance, making it essential for anyone intrigued by the intersection of drama and consciousness.