Theatre in Latin America

In this book Adam Versenyi explores the history of Latin American theatre from pre-Columbian days to contemporary drama. Theatre in Latin America has historically been a powerful force for social change and has frequently combined religious and political concerns with performance practice to create a style of drama unique to the region. Versenyi investigates this special interconnection of religion, politics, and theatre, and finds this relationship present from the earliest contacts between Cortes and the Aztecs through Spanish-influenced theatre to the politically charged contemporary drama of Cuba, Argentina, Chile, and elsewhere. Versenyi concludes his study with an analysis of liberation theology and its secularly derived theatrical counterpart, liberation theatre. Yet this study does not simply provide a theatrical history of Latin America. Rather, the volume offers a detailed understanding of how theatrical, political, and theological elements have consistently intertwined in Latin American history and why that has been the case. All quotations are translated into English and the book contains an appendix of playwrights. It will be of interest to scholars and students of theatre history, Latin American and Spanish studies, and theology.