Howard Barker: Ecstasy and Death: An Expository Study of His Drama, Theory and Production Work, 1988-2008

Barker has been acclaimed as ’England’s greatest living dramatist’ in The Times and as ’the Shakespeare of our age’ by Sarah Kane. His uniquely stylish work brings together startlingly original forms of classical discipline, moral ruthlessness and catastrophic eroticism. This study considers the full range of his theatrical achievements.

DAVID IAN RABEY is Professor of Drama and Theatre Studies at Aberystwyth University, UK, and a dramatist, director and performer. His numerous critical publications include Howard Barker: Politics and Desire, English Drama Since 1940 and (as co-editor) Theatre of Catastrophe: New Essays on Howard Barker. His dramatic writing includes two volumes, The Wye Plays and Lovefuries. He has directed and/or acted in eleven Barker productions to date, including performing in Barker’s own production of The Twelfth Battle of Isonzo. He is an Associate of Barker’s theatre company, The Wrestling School.