The Routledge Dictionary of Performance and Contemporary Theatre

In this review of The Routledge Dictionary of Contemporary Theatre and Performance, the bottom line is clear: this is an indispensable reference for anyone working with or studying recent theatre and performance practice. Patrice Pavis offers a concise, alphabetical guide that maps three decades of change, making complex debates and terms accessible. Scholars, graduate students, directors and dramaturgs will find the book especially useful for clarifying contemporary concepts and tracing influences from activism and body art to the postdramatic; it is a reference meant to be consulted repeatedly rather than read straight through.

Key Features

• Authoritative scope: A single-volume alphabetical guide covering theatre and performance developments across roughly 30 years, useful for quick reference and cross-checking.
• Wide range of entries: Entries run from Activism to Zapping and include movements, practices and theorists that shaped contemporary performance.
• Theoretical context: The dictionary situates terms alongside major thinkers, helping readers understand how theorists such as Derrida or Ranciere have influenced discourse.
• Practical utility: Designed for theatre bookshelves and course reading lists, the book functions as a roadmap when encountering unfamiliar performance language.
• Concise analysis: Short, focused entries provide analysis rather than only definitions, which helps readers grasp why terms matter in contemporary practice.

Who It's For

Performing arts students, researchers, dramaturgs, directors and critics working on contemporary theatre will benefit most from this dictionary because it brings complex terms and shifts in practice into one accessible reference. It suits those who need a reliable, scholarly overview when preparing lectures, programmes or critical writing.

Readers looking for a beginner's history of theatre or an illustrated how-to guide for stagecraft should look elsewhere; this volume prioritizes concise definitions and theoretical framing over visual examples or step-by-step practical instruction.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comprehensive alphabetical coverage that makes targeted lookup fast and straightforward.
• Authoritative voice from a recognized scholar, helpful for academic citation and study.
• Connects practice to critical theory, clarifying contemporary debates in performance.

Cons

• Not a richly illustrated or practical stagecraft manual, so those needing visuals may need supplementary titles.

Specifications

Title	The Routledge Dictionary of Contemporary Theatre and Performance
Author	Patrice Pavis
Scope	Alphabetical guide to theatre and performance of the last 30 years
Coverage	Entries from Activism to Zapping, including Body Art and Flashmob
Approach	Analytical definitions linking practice to theory
Intended audience	Scholars, students, critics, directors

Our Verdict

Patrice Pavis's dictionary is a compact, authoritative resource ideal for anyone engaged with contemporary performance theory or practice; it offers strong value as a ready reference that clarifies terminology and situates practices within broader critical debates, making it worth having on an academic or professional theatre bookshelf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover recent performance trends?
The dictionary focuses on roughly the last 30 years and includes entries on contemporary trends such as multimedia, postdramatic work and flashmobs.

Is the book suitable for students?
Yes, it is particularly useful for undergraduate and graduate students as a reference for definitions and theoretical context.

Will it teach practical stagecraft?
No, the book emphasizes definitions and analysis rather than practical how-to instruction or visual step-by-step guidance.