Abstract
Modern interest in performance can be traced to several different developments from the 1950s to 1970s in the art world, in academic theatre, and in the social sciences, particularly sociology, anthropology, and linguistics. ‘Theatre and performance’ outlines the influence of this major shift in methodological orientation, which has become known as the ‘performative turn’, on Richard Schechner, in particular, who was editor of The Drama Review. His work with Victor Turner led to the first course on ‘performance theory’ at New York University. Courses on performance studies are now taught around the world. How has theatre changed as a result of the challenge of and gradual accommodation to performance and performance studies?
