From the Greeks and Shakespeare to the "Ramayana" and the "Mahabharata", war has often been a major theme of dramatic performances. However, many of the most extraordinary theater projects in recent years not only have been about war but also have originated in actual conflict zones themselves. "Performance in Place of War" is concerned with these initiatives, including theater in refugee camps, war-ravaged villages, towns under curfew, and cities under occupation. It looks at theater and performances that often occur quite literally as bombs are falling, as well as during times of ceasefire and in the aftermath of hostilities. "Performance in Place of War" draws on extensive original material and includes interviews with artists, short play extracts, and photographs from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kosovo, Israel, Lebanon, the Sudan, and others. The authors combine critical commentary, overviews of the conflicts, and firsthand accounts in order to consider such questions as: Why in times of disruption have people turned to performance? And what aesthetic, ethical, and political choices are made in these different contexts?
"Performance in Place of War" is a fascinating perspective on the role of theater in unpredictable, war-torn times.