French Literature Reviews - 2026

Sarah Kane and Theatre
Theatre and Performance

Graham D. Saunders, Love Me or Kill Me: Sarah Kane and Theatre, L'Arche, 2004, 319 p.

ISBN: 2-85181-567-9
Publisher's Price: 25.00 euros

"This is a pioneering book that will have a decisive influence on all future studies of Sarah Kane's theatre. Graham Saunders has spoken with directors, actors, and everyone who worked with her and knew her intimately. You can almost hear the rustle of manuscript pages, footsteps in the rehearsal rooms, and the clinking of coffee cups among students discussing late into the night." (Edward Bond)

Graham D. Saunders examines the dramatic works associated with Sarah Kane, drawing on discussions with directors, actors, and individuals who knew her intimately. The volume documents the professional contexts surrounding the creation and reception of these plays, capturing perspectives from the rehearsal rooms and theatrical circles in which the writer moved. Through these accounts, the text presents a detailed record of how these works were originally conceived and staged for the public.

Readers interested in contemporary drama and modern British theatre history may find this study relevant. The book provides documentation regarding the production history of plays that challenged conventional boundaries on the stage and provoked intense critical debate. It offers an overview of the collaborative processes involved in bringing these texts to life, reflecting the perspectives of the artists who worked directly with the playwright during her career.