Considering Ethics in Dance, Theatre and Performance

In this review Fiona Bannon's Considering Ethics in Dance, Theatre and Performance is presented as a thoughtful study for practitioners and researchers interested in the intersections of collaboration, aesthetics and responsibility. The book's bottom line is clear: it argues that ethical practice in performance emerges through relational, co-created processes, and this review recommends it primarily to those who make or teach collaborative performance. The account of varied practitioners gives concrete examples that help readers see how ethics and creativity can be aligned in everyday practice.

Key Features

• Collaborative focus: The book foregrounds co-created practice and explains how shared creative methods can foreground ethical decision-making in performance.
• Practice-led examples: Detailed discussions of work by Meg Stuart, Rosemary Lee, Deufert&Philschke and Fevered Sleep show how companies negotiate collaboration in real projects.
• Theoretical framing: Bannon links ethics and aesthetics so readers can trace why relational practice matters for both creative outcomes and interpersonal responsibility.
• Relational approach: Emphasises association and shared imagination as tools for cultivating ideas that matter across rehearsals and community-engaged work.
• Accessible language: The writing balances critical argument with descriptions of practice, making it suitable for both students and experienced artists.

Who It's For

Considering Ethics in Dance, Theatre and Performance is best for choreographers, theatre-makers, performance students and researchers who want a focused, practice-informed account of how collaborative methods shape ethical commitments. Practitioners working in community, participatory or ensemble settings will find the case studies directly applicable to their process.

Those seeking step-by-step pedagogical exercises or a handbook of techniques should look elsewhere, as the book is more concerned with critical reflection and examples of practice than prescriptive lesson plans or exhaustive methodological templates.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear argument that aligns ethics with aesthetics, useful for framing collaborative projects.
• Illustrative case studies of notable practitioners that make abstract concepts concrete.
• Tone and structure suit both academic and studio contexts, bridging theory and practice.

Cons

• Not a practical manual of exercises, so readers wanting hands-on templates may find the material more reflective than instructional.

Specifications

Title	Considering Ethics in Dance, Theatre and Performance
Author	Fiona Bannon
Focus	Collaborative and co-created performance practice
Practitioners examined	Meg Stuart; Rosemary Lee; Deufert&Philschke; Fevered Sleep
Primary themes	Ethics, aesthetics, relational creation

Our Verdict

For artists, educators and researchers interested in how collaboration shapes ethical practice, this book is a concise and convincing read that connects theory to real-world projects. It is good value for readers who want critical perspective and exemplary case studies rather than a prescriptive toolkit, and it helps reframe collaborative work as an ethical as well as an aesthetic endeavour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book include practical exercises?
The book focuses on critical reflection and case studies rather than step-by-step exercises, so it is best used alongside practical workshops.

Which practitioners are discussed?
Examples include Meg Stuart, Rosemary Lee, Deufert&Philschke and Fevered Sleep, used to illustrate collaborative approaches.

Who will benefit most from reading it?
Choreographers, theatre-makers, performance researchers and students engaged in collaborative or community-based work will gain the most.