That Was Us

This collection of essays and artist reflections profiles and analyses some of the richest developments to take place in Irish theatre and performance practice in recent times, focusing on artists and companies who have performed at the Dublin Theatre Festival between 2007-2013. 12 core critical essays explore some of the most significant innovations and interventions in Ireland's theatre and performance landscape, while 5 shorter artist responses reflect upon the influence of the Dublin Theatre Festival on their own practice, by describing formative encounters with international work over the course of the festival's history. The essays focus on work produced during a period of profound crisis and transformation in Irish culture, to which theatre and performance can be seen to respond. As well as exploring topical social and political issues addressed by theatre and performance, the volume foregrounds the range of formal experimentation which took place during this time, through focusing on site-specific and responsive theatre, testimonial and biographical performance, dance theatre, family theatre, postdramatic tendencies, new takes on Irish theatre's longstanding preoccupation with space and place, and fresh interpretations of classic Irish writing. It also considers the international influences at play in the work discussed, and the influence of Irish theatre and performance abroad