Introduction

This introduces the subject matter of the book. It argues that psychology and psychotherapy studies may yield valuable results when applied to the analysis of plays. It recapitulates Artaud’s ideas on the therapeutics of theatre. The theme of human suffering is shown to be inextricably linked to our existence and particularly relevant today. Some similarities between theatre and therapy are delineated. The importance of the textual analysis of a play is also underscored. Here Marina Carr’s playwriting is introduced and some of the subjects central to her plays are broached, those of particular relevance to the analysis conducted in this book. Finally, a short summary of subsequent chapters is given.