Feminism, Dramaturgy, and the Contemporary British History Play

When we think of the contemporary British history play, why might we automatically think of playwrights such as David Hare, Howard Brenton, Peter Gill and Edward Bond? Because for decades the writing of the history play has been the preserve of the white male. This book provides a vital feminist intervention into the dramaturgy of history plays, investigating work produced at major British theatres from 2000 to the present, written by a generation of innovative women playwrights. This much-needed study explores the use of history - specifically Elizabethan, Restoration, Victorian and early 20th century - in contemporary playwriting in order to interrogate the gender politics of this work. Within the framework of contemporary feminism - including the pivotal #MeToo movement - the book looks at post-2000s feminist drama that somehow represents the past. Through delving into the recurring tropes and their politics in the light of current feminist debate, the author helps us grasp how these plays essentially re-imagine gender politics. Plays that are considered include Emilia (Morgan Lloyd Malcolm), Swive [Elizabeth] (Ella Hickson), An August Bank Holiday Lark (Deborah McAndrew), The Empress (Tanika Gupta), Red Velvet (Lolita Chakrabarti), Scuttlers (Rona Munro), I, Joan (Charlie Josephine), Blue Stockings and Nell Gwynn (Jessica Swale), and the musical Six (Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss).

Product details

• Authors: Rebecca Benzie, Rebecca Benzie
• Assisted by: Mark Taylor-Batty (Editor), Enoch Brater (Editor)
• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Content: Book
• Product form: Paperback / Softback
• Publication date: 19.03.2026
• Subject: Humanities, art, music > Art > Theatre, ballet
• EAN: 9781350191310
• ISBN: 978-1-350-19131-0
• Pages: 256
• Dimensions (packing): 13.6 x 22.2 x 1.6 cm
• Series: Methuen Drama Engage
• Subjects: Feminism, MeToo, 20th Century, PERFORMING ARTS / Theater / General, PERFORMING ARTS / Theater / History & Criticism, PERFORMING ARTS / Theater / Playwriting, Restoration, Historiography, Victorian, Edward Bond, Feminism and feminist theory, Creative writing & creative writing guides, Creative writing and creative writing guides, Early 21st century c 2000 to c 2050, Theatre Direction & Production, Theatre direction and production, History of Performing Arts, elizabethan, Rona Munro, playwriting, David Hare, Howard Brenton, David Hare; Howard Brenton; Peter Gill; Edward Bond; Elizabethan; Restoration; Victorian; 20th century; Jessica Swale; Helen Edmundson; Ella Hickson; Tanika Gupta; Rona Munro; Morgan Lloyd Malcolm; Deborah McAndrew; Lolita Chakrabarti; historiography, 2000s, 2020s, Lolita Chakrabarti, Helen Edmundson, 2010s, History play, Tanika Gupta, contemporary British theatre, Peter Gill, Deborah McAndrew, Jessica Swale, Ella Hickson, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm