Theatre in Latin America : Religion, Politics and Culture from Cortés to the 1980s

In this book Adam Versényi explores the history of Latin American Theatre from pre-Columbian days to contemporary drama. Theatre in Latin America has historically been a powerful force for social change and has frequently combined religious and political concerns with performance practice to create a style of drama unique to the region. In this fascinating account, Versényi investigates this special interconnection of religion, politics and theatre, and finds this relationship present from the earliest contacts between Cortés and the Aztecs through Spanish-influenced theatre to the politically charged contemporary drama of Cuba, Argentina, Chile and elsewhere. The volume offers a detailed understanding of how theatrical, political and theological elements have consistently intertwined in Latin American history and why that has been the case. All quotations are translated into English and the book contains an appendix of playwrights. It will be of interest to scholars and students of theatre history, Latin American and Spanish studies and theology.