What is the relationship between theatre and therapy? How has this relationship developed over time, with a new contemporary focus on mental wellbeing? How is therapy put on the couch by theatrical performance?
Theatre and Therapy explores the evolution of links between theatre and therapy by considering actor training, theatre in therapeutic contexts, and contemporary theatre and performance practice. The book illuminates some of the connections and frictions between theatre and therapy, drawing on a range of examples that includes theatre performance, documentary theatre, solo performance, comedy, method acting and dramatherapy.
This concise study traverses some of the changing interactions between theatre and therapy, and in this revised edition, takes into account shifting attitudes and approaches to theatre as a therapeutically inspired practice and tool.

Fintan Walsh is Professor of Performing Arts and Humanities and Director of Birkbeck Centre for Contemporary Theatre at Birkbeck, University of London, UK. His recent books include the collection Theatres of Contagion: Transmitting Early Modern to Contemporary Performance (Methuen Drama 2020) and the monograph Queer Performance and Contemporary Ireland (2016). He is a former editor of the Theatre Research International, and editor of the book series Contemporary Performance Texts.