The first panoramic survey of its kind, The Cambridge Companion to Modernist Theatre is a wide-ranging guide to modernism's myriad theatrical manifestations and permutations. Covering such diverse movements as naturalism, symbolism, expressionism, surrealism, dadaism, futurism, and absurdism and ranging over many genres, including comedy, tragedy, the play of ideas, agitprop, and epic theatre, the book provides a comprehensive examination of how theatre was shaped by modernism – and in turn shaped it – as it was practised around the globe. Arranged into two halves focusing respectively on theatrical forms and major themes, the volume features chapters examining how modernist playwrights, scenographers, actors, and directors engaged with such key social, political, and cultural issues of the day as philosophy, science, religion, sexuality, gender, race, intermediality, and interculturalism. An authoritative resource for students and researchers alike, this Companion attests to the pertinence of theatre and modernism both historically and in the contemporary world.

• A panoramic account of modernist practices and genres in the theatre, providing a broad and reliable resource for students and researchers
• Global in scope, covering theatre traditions, innovations, and movements in polities around the world and informing readers on how modernist theatre has manifested diversely in different national contexts
• Includes inter-disciplinary perspectives that deepen our understanding of how modernist theatre has engaged with key socio-political issues