Off-Broadway/Off-West End

David Weinberg argues that American experimental theatre practice was one key factor in the development of an important phase in the history of the alternative theatre movement in Britain during the period 1956–1980. His analysis draws on key concepts and theories in the work of Elizabeth Burns (1972) and Baz Kershaw (1992, 1999). The main historical developments he covers are the activities of the experimental theatre groups associated with Jim Haynes, Charles Marowitz, Nancy Meckler, and Ed Berman, four expatriate American theatre practitioners living in Britain during the time period 1956–1980. In addition, he also examines important American-based groups—Living Theatre (1947), Open Theatre (1964), La MaMa (1960), and Bread and Puppet (1965) —which performed in Britain and which made an impact during the same period, as well as a wide range of indigenous British groups—Pip Simmons (1968), Foco Novo (1972–1989), Joint Stock (1974–1989)—, institutions—RSC (1961), Royal Court (1956)—, and individuals such as Max Stafford-Clark, Thelma Holt, John Arden, Ann Jellicoe, and the Portable playwrights (1968–1972) which in one way or another were influenced by American exemplars. Weinberg’s study is essential reading for everyone seeking a more comprehensive and dynamic understanding of the forces which shaped the alternative theatre movement in Britain.

David Weinberg

David Weinberg, PhD
Dr Weinberg’s previous book, Off-Broadway/Off-West End: American Influence on the Alternative Theatre Movement in Britain 1956-1980 was published in 2017. He has taught theatre studies at institutions including Goldsmiths College, University of London, Kingston University London, and in the California State University system. He has worked as an actor and director at West End theaters including the Arts Theater, Leicester Square Theater, St James Theater, Trafalgar Studios, and the Soho Theater as well as Off-West End/Regionally/Internationally at the Young Vic Theater, Oxford Playhouse, Piper’s Opera House, Cockpit Theater, King's Head Theater, Rose Playhouse, Theatro Technis, Baron's Court Theater, Burton Taylor Studio, Etcetera Theater, Hudson Theater (Los Angeles), Actors Lab Theater (Los Angeles), RADA, and a festival hosted by the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon. In 2012 it was confirmed that Dr Weinberg was the first American to direct at the historic Rose Theater, Bankside where the plays of Shakespeare and Marlowe were first performed. He received a Directing Award from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 1997.

Delivery time	Delivery time 2-3 working days.
Number of Pages	230
Language	English
Format	8,3 in x 5,8 in
Publication date	30.09.2017
Type	Paperback
ISBN	978-3-8382-1032-2
Weight	327 g
Product safety information (EU GPSR)	read more

“Off-Broadway/Off-West End: American Influence on the Alternative Theatre Movement in Britain 1956–1980 offers a fascinating insight into the evolution of British theatre during a twenty-five year period in the second half of the twentieth century. As well as charting the impact of key expats like Jim Haynes, Charles Marowitz, Nancy Meckler, and Ed Berman on the ecology of theatre-making across both the alternative and commercial sectors, it also demonstrates the wide-ranging influence of key US companies who visited Britain during these years. More than a study of how a particular generation of artists came to shape key movements and developments, this is a mode of understanding the unexpected configurations of encounters and intersections that shape theatrical landscapes. Its treatment of new writing initiatives, production strategies and understandings of the relationship between actor and performer, scripting and improvisation, and place and space provide new ways of thinking through the relationship between theatre, history, and memory. The result is an informative, original, and persuasively argued treatment of the ‘special relationship’ that brilliantly unsettles established histories of British theatre in the post-War years.”—Professor Maria M. Delgado, Director of Research, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London