ABSTRACT

Monsters are fragmentary, uncertain, frightening creatures. What happens when they enter the realm of the theatre?

The Monster in Theatre History explores the cultural genealogies of monsters as they appear in the recorded history of Western theatre. From the Ancient Greeks to the most cutting-edge new media, Michael Chemers focuses on a series of ‘key’ monsters, including Frankenstein’s creature, werewolves, ghosts, and vampires, to reconsider what monsters in performance might mean to those who witness them.

This volume builds a clear methodology for engaging with theatrical monsters of all kinds, providing a much-needed guidebook to this fascinating hinterland.

chapter |20 pages

Introduction

The dramaturgy of empathy

chapter 1|22 pages

Caliban’s Legacy

chapter 2|11 pages

Prometheus The Thief

chapter 3|16 pages

Presumption

chapter 4|28 pages

The Vampire Trap

chapter 5|23 pages

Toys Are Us

chapter 6|24 pages

Boo 1

chapter 7|18 pages

Hairey Betwixt

chapter |9 pages

Conclusion