Is there a fundamental connection between New York's Elevator Repair Service's 9-hour production of The Great Gatsby and a Kathakali performance? How can we appreciate the slowness of Kabuki theatre alongside the fast-paced Whatsapp theatre of post-Arab Spring Turkey? Can we move beyond our own cultural definitions of a 'good play' and consider theatre in a pluralistic way? Drawing from extensive experience with theatre artists and thinkers worldwide, including an audience with the Dalai Lama, playwright Abhishek Majumdar examines the reasons behind our engagement with theatre and its diverse interpretations globally. His work spans theatre in Japan, dance in the Philippines, writing in Lebanon and Palestine, and groups in Burkina Faso, Kashmir, North Eastern India, China, Tibet, Argentina, and Mexico. Through a thought-provoking collection of essays, Majumdar explores how various cultures conceive theatre, the reflection of socio-political climates in performances, and theatre's historical role as a tool for disruption and healing. He highlights the universals that connect us despite differences and how theatre transcends borders. This book is essential for theatre makers—writers, actors, directors, and designers—offering insights into the contemporary relevance of theatre.
