Howard Barker: Politics and Desire: An Expository Study of His Drama and Poetry, 1969-87

This is a paperback edition of this landmark study of Howard Barker's drama and poetry between 1969 and 1987. New paperback edition of this 1989 book will publish to coincide with major season of Barker's work in Paris in Jan 2009 and Rabey's 'sequel' to the book (which focuses on Howard Barker's work post-1988). Paperback edition will included revised a Bibliography and chronology of productions, and a new Foreword. Interest in Howard Barker has grown enormously since this was first published - Barker is now an established figure on nearly any UK university syllabus which looks at the development of contemporary British drama and general theatre theory/practice. Barker is well-studied in Europe, and interest in him is increasing in the US, particularly since 9/11 due to his arguments for a 'Theatre of Catastrophe'.This title includes brief 'conversations' with performers such as Ian McDiarmid, Gary Oldman and Harriet Walter on Barker's work - a useful resource for students as they reflect different interpretations of the works for classroom discussion. David Rabey is a recognized authority on Barker's works, both as an academic and actor/director, as well as having a personal friendship with the playwright which gives him access to rare archival material and interviews.This is a new paperback edition of the critically acclaimed first full-length critical assessment of this most individual, challenging, conceptually energetic of British dramatists, whose recognition and influence have extended to a position of international eminence