Arguments for a Theatre

Howard Barker does not accept the conventions of what he terms "The Establishment Theatre". These writings on the nature of theatre reject the constraints of "objective" academic theatre criticism, but explore the collision and collusion of intellect and artistry in the creative act.

Howard Barker's first play was performed at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in 1970. Subsequently, his works were played by the Royal Court, Royal Shakespeare Company, The Open Space Theatre, Sheffield Crucible and the Almeida. He is currently Artistic Director of The Wrestling School, a company established to disseminate his works and develop his theory of production. His work is played extensively in Europe, in translation, in The United States, and in Australia. He writes regularly for radio, both in England and Europe. He is the author of plays for marionettes and has written three librettos for opera.Howard Barker is the author of two works of theory, and five volumes of poetry. He is also a painter. His work is held in national collections in England (V&A, London) and Europe.

'A manifesto as systematically unsystematic as Artaud's for a Theatre of Cruelty - a comparable mixture of self-revelation, self-concealment, anger and explosive excitement. The essays, all of them, are clamorous, challenging and eloquent. Indisputably brilliant.'