• Introduction 1 ‘Why should I care?’: the politics of vital theatre 2 The new Elizabethans: the docile bodies of funding 3 A writer’s theatre: the professionalisation of the playwright 4 Oh for empty seats: the Royal Court and its audiences 5 Something English: the repatriation of European drama 6 Something (un)spoken: quoting, queers, and the fear of theatre 7 Sister Mary Discipline: growing up straight at the Royal Court

'This well-written book provides an important interpretive challenge, which both postgraduates and discerning undergraduates should find useful.' - New Theatre Quarterly'[Rebellato] brilliantly records the experience of the Lord Chamberlain's office at attempts to subvert its homophobic, censorious power ' - Michael Billington, The Guardian'...very though provoking reading' - Maggie B Gale, University of Birmingham