The Theatre of Revolt

The Theatre of Revolt examines modern drama through the lens of rebellion and revolution. Published in 1964, this critical work analyzes the theatrical innovations of eight major playwrights from Ibsen to Genet. Brustein traces the evolution of dramatic revolt across three phases: messianic, social, and existential. The book explores how these dramatists challenged theatrical conventions and reflected broader cultural upheaval in their work. Each playwright receives focused attention through analysis of their major works and artistic development. The chapters connect the writers' personal experiences and historical context to their dramatic innovations. Through this examination of theatrical rebellion, The Theatre of Revolt reveals how modern drama both shaped and reflected radical changes in Western society and consciousness. The book positions these playwrights' artistic revolts as responses to fundamental questions about authority, identity, and human nature.

Readers appreciate Brustein's analysis of modern dramatists through the lens of rebellion and his clear connections between playwrights' personal lives and their works. Students and theater practitioners cite the book's depth in examining Ibsen, Strindberg, Shaw, and other key figures. Readers note the academic tone can be dense and theoretical. Some find the "revolt" framework becomes repetitive or forced when applied to every playwright. A few mention the dated cultural references and interpretations from its 1964 publication. From reader forums: "Helped me understand how these playwrights built on each other's innovations" - Theater student "Too much jargon for casual reading but valuable insights" - Drama professor Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (8 ratings) Most academic library reviews recommend it for theater collections while noting its scholarly rather than general-interest approach.

Modern Drama in Theory and Practice by J.L. Styan This text examines theatrical movements through the lens of rebellion and social change, connecting dramatic innovations to their historical contexts.

The Death of Tragedy by George Steiner The work traces the evolution of tragic drama from ancient Greece through modern times, focusing on the transformation of theatrical forms in response to cultural shifts.

The Empty Space by Peter Brook The analysis breaks down four fundamental approaches to theatre-making while exploring how theatrical revolution shapes dramatic expression.

Theatre of the Oppressed by Augusto Boal The book presents theatre as a force for social transformation and political resistance through theoretical framework and practical applications.

The Theory of the Modern Stage by Eric Bentley This compilation of essential theatrical writings presents the ideas of major dramatists and theorists who challenged conventional theatre forms.

🎭 Robert Brustein founded both the Yale Repertory Theatre and the American Repertory Theater, bringing his deep understanding of theatrical rebellion to life on stage as well as in his writing. 📚 The book, published in 1964, examines eight major dramatists (Ibsen, Strindberg, Chekhov, Shaw, Brecht, Pirandello, O'Neill, and Genet) who Brustein identifies as key figures in modern theater's revolt against established conventions. 🎬 Many of the playwrights discussed in the book were initially rejected by mainstream theaters and critics, only to later be recognized as revolutionary forces who transformed dramatic art. 🏆 Brustein served as dean of the Yale School of Drama and received the National Medal of Arts from President Clinton in 1995 for his contributions to American theater. 🎪 The concept of "revolt" in the book encompasses three stages: messianic revolt (against God), social revolt (against social conventions), and existential revolt (against the human condition itself).