A Concise Companion to Contemporary British and Irish Drama investigates key issues in British and Irish theatre since 1979. Covering topics from globalisation, genocide and terrorism to the use of new technologies, and physical and verbatim theatre practices, this volume illustrates the extraordinary diversity of contemporary drama and performance.

• Examines established and emerging playwrights, theatre companies, processes and ideological frameworks
  
• Analyses influential social, political, cultural and institutional contexts, among them globalization, genocide, and national identity, the use of new technologies, and the practice of physical theatre
  
• Challenges received ideas of the traditional canon, exploring work by Welsh, Scottish and Irish playwrights, as well as Black British Theatre, and Queer Theatres
  
• Chapters include notes, references, and guides to further reading