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摘要

In Theatre, Education and Performance, Nicholson deftly intertwines the historical and contemporary contexts of theatre education and performance in the United Kingdom and internationally. Setting the tone of this book is the first section that connects educational and cultural literature from the mid-nineteenth century onwards in order to give the reader a well-developed understanding of the historical basis of the uses of theatre and performance in various educational settings. Nicholson's explicit aim to 'explore why theatre education matters at different times and in different places' (10) was clearly achieved through using a plethora of examples, historical and contemporary. Historical examples were illustrated through extensively referring to educational theorists such as John Dewey and Harriet Finlay-Johnson, as well as cultural theorists such as Matthew Arnold and William Morris. This sets the tone that learning through play has clear historical basis that has influenced theatre education and performance up to the present, as well as having the potential to counteract hierarchical societies, excessive individualism and hyper-consumerism.