Product Description

Keir Elam showed how this new 'science' could provide a radical shift in our understanding of theatrical performance, one of our very richest and most complex forms of communication.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #262980 in Books
• Published on: 2002-06-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Review
'I have very much appreciated the work of Keir Elam.' - Umberto Eco

From the Back Cover
The late twentieth century saw an explosion of interest in semiotics, the science of the signs and processes by which we communicate. In this study, the first of its kind in English, Keir Elam shows how this new 'science' can provide a radical shift in our understanding of theatrical performance, one of our richest and most complex forms of communication.
Elam traces the history of semiotic approaches to performance, from 1930s Prague onwards, and presents a model of theatrical communication. In the course of his study, he touches upon the 'logic' of the drama and the analysis of dramatic discourse. This edition also includes a new post-script by the author, looking at the fate of theatre semiotics since the publication of this book, and a fully updated bibliography. Much praised for its accessibility, The Semiotics of Theatre and Drama remains a 'must-read' text for all those interested in the analysis of theatrical performance.

About the Author
Keir Elam is Professor of English Drama at the University of Florence.