The historical age of empires may be over, but empire, as an idea, continues to exercise a hold over our imaginations. This compelling examination of the relationship between theatre and empire begins with potential definitions and theories of empire, suggesting how we might think of these two notions together and how we might see empire itself as theatre. A variety of case studies are then used to explore theatre in light of both cultural and economic imperialism.

Benjamin Poore is Professor of Theatre at the University of York, UK. He is the author of Heritage, Nostalgia and Modern British Theatre: Staging the Victorians (2012); Theatre and Empire (2016); and Sherlock Holmes from Screen to Stage (2017). He has also edited the collection Neo-Victorian Villains (2017) and co-edited Contemporary Gothic Drama (2018). Ben's interests include histories of playwriting, literary and neo-Victorian adaptations, and the uses of historical material in theatre-making practices.

Series Editor's Preface
1. Introduction
2. Defining Empire
3. Theories of Empire
4. Thinking across Empire and Theatre, Theatre and Empire
5. Empire as Rehearsal, Empire as Performance
6. Empire and Culture
7. Economic Imperialism
8. Three Kinds of Empire Play
9. The New Imperium
10. Empires in Confined Spaces
11. Reversal and Retreat
12. British Theatre, Post Imperialism
13. The Theatre that Empire Built
Further Reading
Index.