Theatre and Entertainment

What do we mean by entertainment? How does this concept relate to theatre? Should theatre be for pleasure or instruction? Can it not be both?

In this stimulating book, Jim Davis examines the relationship between theatre and entertainment by assessing audience reception, political theatre and melodrama. He explores definitions of entertainment, arguing that it can be found embedded in all forms of theatre, not just the 'popular'. Davis concludes with a review of contemporary perspectives on the topic and questions the limits of entertainment in theatrical performance.