The Cambridge Companion to British Theatre since 1945

British theatre underwent a vast transformation and expansion in the decades after World War II. This Companion explores the historical political and social contexts and conditions that not only allowed it to expand but crucially shaped it. Resisting a critical tendency to focus on plays alone the collection expands understanding of British theatre by illuminating contexts such as funding unionisation devolution immigration and changes to legislation. Divided into four parts it guides readers through changing attitudes to theatre-making (acting directing writing) theatre sectors (West End subsidised Fringe) theatre communities (audiences Black theatre queer theatre) and theatre''s relationship to the state (government infrastructure nationhood). Supplemented by a valuable Chronology and Guide to Further Reading it presents up-to-date approaches informed by critical race theory queer studies audience studies and archival research to demonstrate important new ways of conceptualising post-war British theatre''s history practices and potential futures.