ABSTRACT

First published in 1967 The Theatre of Commitment presents miscellaneous collection of seven essays written over fifteen years. Eric Bentley deals with themes like is the drama an extinct species; the American drama; what is theatre; the pro and con of political theatre; letter to a would-be playwright and the theatre of commitment. For most people, theatre of commitment is political theater, though Bentley indicates that the word commitment is broad enough to embrace the work of any serious writer even if the commitment is to non-commitment. This is an interesting read for students of theatre and performance studies.

chapter |15 pages

Is the Drama an Extinct Species?

chapter |29 pages

The American Drama [1944–1954]

chapter |51 pages

What is Theatre?

chapter |21 pages

Taking Ibsen Personally

An Address Given at the University of Oslo Ibsen Week, 1956

chapter |41 pages

The Pro and Con of Political Theatre

Con

chapter |30 pages

Letter to a Would-Be Playwright

chapter |42 pages

The Theatre of Commitment