The Formal Import and Theoretical Metabolization of the Postdramatic in the Romanian Context

Abstract

The article examines the importation and assimilation of the concept of postdramatic theatre into the Romanian theatrical landscape. The postdramatic, which emerged primarily in Lehmann’s seminal book, was delayed in Romania due to the country’s historical isolation during the communist era. The study traces the evolution of Romanian dramaturgy from pre-1989 influences to the 1990s and beyond, identifying a shift toward more socially and politically engaged playwrighting. The 2000s generation of playwrights embraced fragmented, collage-based texts and diverse theatrical forms, including documentary and political theatre. The article discusses the critical reception of the postdramatic paradigm in Romania, highlighting diverging views on its implications for narrative, character, and the role of the playwright. While some critics see postdramatic theatre as subversive, rejecting traditional story structures, others emphasize its continuity with past theatrical traditions. Ultimately, the article investigates how Romanian theorists and practitioners engage with postdramatic theory and its nuanced applications, questioning the legitimacy and utility of the term in the Romanian context, as well as its future.