Towards a Postpositivist Theatre History

Abstract

While most contemporary theatre historians would probably agree with the thrust of Styan's comment, few of them pursue questions and work within methods which allow them to investigate the many ways in which theatrical performances function as social events. Aside from a handful of Marxists interested in issues of theatre history, most historians of the theatre are content to sketch in the social-cultural background of a theatrical period or event before using fine lines of narrative to detail the who, what, when, and how of a theatrical production, career, or style. But it does not take a materialist to point out that such social-historical roles, actions and perceptions constitute the fundamental stuff out of which theatrical events emerge.

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