Theatrical Reality

"An engaging and original exploration of the many ways in which reality takes shape in the theatre, where each chapter twists our understanding of the 'nature' of theatrical reality, and related assumptions of how spectators experience reality. . . . A thoughtful analysis."

"Edinborough identifies specific practitioners and practices from within a wide range of theatrical forms including theatre, dance, immersive and participatory performance, stand-up and film. Some of these – Wagner, Appia, Stanislavsky, Brecht, Grotowski, Pina Bausch and Punchdrunk – are very familiar and yet he manages to bring a fresh perspective to their work. . . . The accounts of his own experiences in and of theatrical space are sharp, illuminating and honest about the gaps that can occur between what is intended by theatre makers and what is experienced by spectators. . . . It provides a well-structured and carefully signposted introduction to the idea that successful theatre making requires an appreciation and understanding of the role of the spectator in the construction of theatrical space and in the realisation of theatrical reality."

"Edinborough’s book takes seriously the embodied spectator, embedded in space, and the role she plays in constructing the theatrical experience. . . . There are smart discussions of really interesting performances. . . . He rightly attends to differing paradigms of reception in the experience of theatrical reality and gives important attention to ways in which contemporary performance is challenging and restaging spectators."