{"product_id":"theatre-on-trial-routledge-library-editions-beckett-critical","title":"Theatre on Trial (Routledge Library Editions: Beckett) - Critical","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Theatre on Trial the reviewer finds a focused, scholarly examination of Samuel Beckett's later plays that will appeal to students and researchers of modern drama. Anna McMullan's book offers the single biggest reason to buy: it situates Beckett's late work within contemporary critical and performance theory while tracing a metatheatrical and metaphysical lineage that clarifies key debates in performance studies. The tone is academic rather than introductory, and the analysis rewards readers prepared for close textual reading and theoretical engagement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFirst full-length analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provides the earliest comprehensive study dedicated to Beckett's later drama, useful for historical perspective and citation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClose textual examination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Uses detailed readings of the later plays to illuminate recurring themes and dramatic techniques.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical context:\u003c\/strong\u003e Engages contemporary critical and performance theory so readers can see how modern approaches deepen understanding of Beckett's practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMetatheatrical focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Places performance within a metatheatrical tradition, highlighting how Beckett confronts the ideology of performance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExplores authority and gender:\u003c\/strong\u003e Examines ideas around authority and gender, offering angles for feminist and cultural readings of the plays.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScholarly rigor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Written with academic precision, making it appropriate for researchers and advanced students rather than casual readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is best for graduate students, theatre scholars, and instructors who need a rigorous, theory-informed study of Beckett's later work. It will serve well as a seminar text or a research reference for essays on modernism, performance theory, and metatheatre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose seeking a beginner's introduction to Beckett or a survey of his entire career should look elsewhere; McMullan assumes familiarity with Beckett's plays and contemporary critical vocabulary, so the prose is dense and argument-driven rather than accessible to general readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides the first sustained, book-length analysis of Beckett's later drama, filling a gap in scholarship.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCareful close readings make the interpretive moves transparent and useful for teaching or citation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnects performance practice to current critical theory, enriching debates in performance studies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe academic style and theoretical density limit accessibility for casual readers or newcomers to Beckett.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTheatre on Trial (Routledge Library Editions: Beckett)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnna McMullan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFirst published\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1993 (first full-length analysis of later drama)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSamuel Beckett's later drama and contemporary performance theory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey themes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthority, gender, ideology of performance, metatheatre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudents, scholars, researchers in drama and performance studies\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor specialists and advanced students of modern drama, Theatre on Trial delivers a careful, theory-rich study that remains valuable for its pioneering focus on Beckett's later plays. Its dense, scholarly approach means it is excellent value as a research resource or seminar text, especially for those examining metatheatre, authority and performance ideology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book cover all of Beckett's career?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The book concentrates on Beckett's later drama and does not serve as a complete career survey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this suitable for undergraduate courses?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt can be used in advanced undergraduate seminars, but it is best suited to graduate-level study due to its theoretical depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it engage with contemporary theory?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. McMullan explicitly connects contemporary critical and performance theory to readings of Beckett's later plays.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Anna McMullan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48763122516187,"sku":"0367747529","price":140.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/612WWWXLHnL._SL1500.jpg?v=1778498752","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/theatre-on-trial-routledge-library-editions-beckett-critical","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}