The Theatre of Anthony Neilson (Critical Companions)

Anthony Neilson is one of the most exciting and challenging voices in contemporary British theatre. For more than two decades he has been in the vanguard of new writing and has acquired a formidable reputation for innovation and experimentation. His major stage plays include Penetrator, The Censor, Stitching, Realism, Unreachable and his 2004 masterpiece The Wonderful World of Dissocia, arguably one of the finest Scottish plays of the new millennium. This volume provides the first full-length study of Neilson's plays and his innovative rehearsal methodology. As well as providing a detailed account of each play Trish Reid includes an extensive new interview with Neilson and additional contributions from important scholars and commentators in the field. This is essential reading for anyone who wants to develop a better understanding of one of British theatre's most original artists. Cover page Halftitle page Series page Title page Copyright page The Night Before Christmas (1995) CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS INTRODUCTION NEILSON IN HIS CONTEXTS CHAPTER 1 DRAMATURGIES OF LOVE: RELATIONSHIP PLAYS Boys always work it out: Penetrator (1993) I want to know what love is: The Censor (1997) Only love can break your heart: Stitching (2002) CHAPTER 2 DRAMATURGIES OF HORROR: STAGING NIGHTMARES Too close for comfort: Normal (1991) Listen to the radio: Hooverbag (1996) Suffer little children: Relocated (2008) CHAPTER 3 DRAMATURGIES OF THE IMAGINATION: LOOKING INSIDE Lovesick blues: Edward Gant’s Amazing Feats of Loneliness! (2002) Little light shining: The Wonderful World of Dissocia (2004) Back to life: Realism (2006) CHAPTER 4 DRAMATURGIES OF GENEROSITY: SEASONAL ENTERTAINMENTS The Year of the Family (1994) The Night Before Christmas (1995) The Lying Kind (2002) God in Ruins (2007) Get Santa! (2010) CHAPTER 5 DRAMATURGIES OF PRESENCE: STAGING LIVENESS My weirds are word: Narrative (2011) Making something beautiful: Unreachable (2016) CHAPTER 6 PERSPECTIVES FINDING THE LIGHT: ANTHONY NEILSON IN CONVERSATION IN GOOD COMPANY: THE AUTHORIAL PROCESS OF ANTHONY NEILSON DIRTY REALISM Did I imagine that? Can you see where I am coming from? The truth is in here It’s your look out Extraordinarily normal NOT SO ‘IN-YER-FACE’: NEILSON AND THE RENAISSANCE IN SCOTTISH THEATRE Is Neilson really ‘in-yer-face’? Neilson and modern Scotland CONCLUSION CHRONOLOGY BIBLIOGRAPHY NOTES ON CONTRIBUTORS INDEX "Anthony Neilson is one of the most exciting and challenging voices in contemporary British theatre. For two decades he has been in the vanguard of new writing and has acquired a reputation for innovation and experimentation. His major stage plays include Penetrator, The Censor, Stitching, Realism and his 2004 masterpiece The Wonderful World of Dissocia, arguably one of the best Scottish plays of the new millennium. This volume provides the first full-length study of both Neilson's plays and his innovative rehearsal methodology. As well as providing a detailed account of each play Trish Reid includes an extensive new interview with Neilson and with many of his key collaborators. This is essential reading for anyone who wants to develop a better understanding of one of British theatre's most original artists on stage and in the rehearsal room. "-- Provided by publisher Anthony Neilson is one of the most exciting and challenging voices in contemporary British theatre. For more than two decades he has been in the vanguard of new writing and has acquired a formidable reputation for innovation and experimentation. This volume provides a study of his plays and his innovative rehearsal methodology, and includes an extensive interview and additional contributions from important scholars and commentators in the field