Routledge - Shakespeare, Performance and the Archive Book

Shakespeare, Performance and the Archive offers a ground-breaking exploration into what remains after actors leave the space and time of a performance. This volume provides a deep analysis of leftovers, moving between the politics of what is consciously archived and the politics of both visible and invisible theatrical labour to trace how performance persists. In this fascinating work, Hodgdon examines how various forms of evidence, such as documents, material objects, sketches, drawings, and photographs, explore scenarios of action, behaviour, and embodied practices. Instead of viewing these items as simple indexical signs, the book investigates their role in preserving the essence of theatrical work. It is an essential read for those interested in theatre history, performance studies, and the complex relationship between live action and the archival record.