Devising Theatre: A Practical and Theoretical Handbook

Devising Theatre is a practical handbook that combines a critical analysis of contemporary devised theatre practice with descriptions of selected companies, and includes suggestions for any group devising theatre from scratch. It is the first book to propose a general theory of devised theatre.

Oddey identifies the unique nature of this mode of performance and examines how devised theatre is perceived by professional practitioners, providing an historical overview illustrating how it has evolved since the 1960s. She looks at the particular working practices and products of a number of professional companies, including a Reminiscence theatre for the elderly and a theatre-in-education group, and offers ideas and exercises or exploration and experimentation. Devising Theatre is a much-needed, authoritative account of an exciting and growing field of theatre practice.