Peter Brook and Ariane Mnouchkine are among the most important directors in recent theatre history. This book focuses on two of their landmark productions, Mahabharata (1985) and Les Atrides (1992–1994) respectively, in order to uncover parallel methodologies in the transfer of ancient mythological narratives to the contemporary French stage. It investigates audiences’ relationship with these works re-told, questioning their/our relationship to heritage, at a time when marketing departments and politicians re-hash the same old stories to cajole would-be consumers and voters.

Peter Brook and Ariane Mnouchkine are among the most important directors in recent theatre history. This book focuses on two of their landmark productions, Mahabharata (1985) and Les Atrides (1992–1994) respectively, in order to uncover parallel methodologies in the transfer of ancient mythological narratives to the contemporary French stage. It investigates audiences’ relationship with these works re-told, questioning their/our relationship to heritage, at a time when marketing departments and politicians re-hash the same old stories to cajole would-be consumers and voters.