Social Interaction and Dramatic Performance

Spencer Hazel’s “Social Interaction and Dramatic Performance” is a fascinating read to explore the relationship between interaction analysis and theater making. For practitioners it is a rich source of inspiration, for analysts a compelling insight into the way cultural artifacts emulate principles of social interaction. Above all, it offers a unique approach based on authentic interaction data in rehearsal studios. A must-read for anyone interested in theater and the intertwining of art and everyday life. * Axel Schmidt, Leibniz Institute for the German Language, Germany *This book opens an invitation to theatre-makers, screen actors and directors to make use of the tools of conversational analysis in their shared search for truth in interpersonal interactions. Hazel shows how the artist’s instinct can be complemented by the scientist’s attentiveness, and draws out interests common to both. Through analysis of screen performances, rehearsal room observations and more, this book shows how acting approaches might be interrogated and furthered through linguistic methods. * Mark Love-Smith, Senior Lecturer in Theatre, University of York, UK *

Spencer Hazel is Reader in Applied Linguistics and Communication at Newcastle University, UK.