Performing Presence, Affirming Difference: Deleuze and the Minor Theatres of Georges Lavaudant and Carmelo Bene

Contemporary French Theatre and Performance is an original and timely collection of essays that explores, for the first time, the relationship between experimental theatre and performance practices in France. The book contains essays on playwrighting, directing, dramaturgy, théâtre de rue ('street theatre'), carnal art, cinéma d'exposition ('moving image installation'), conceptual dance and poésie sonore ('sound poetry'). Contributions are made by leading theatre and performance scholars in France and the UK (Aston, Bradby, Corvin, Haedicke, Hamidi, Han, Harris and Hersant), as well as by practitioners (Cantarella, Corrieri, Dechery, Cvejic, Stewart). Essays approach the aesthetics and politics of these experimental practices from a variety of angles, revealing how theatre artists, choreographers and performance makers use their art work to contest reality as it is currently configured in France. This exciting and original volume will be of interest to students, researchers and practitioners in Performance and Theatre Studies, French Studies, Art, Philosophy and Politics.