Statistics and The Canon: Irish Theatre Historiography Beyond the Diaspora

Abstract

This article examines issues raised in the paper “Infinite Rehearsals”, presented at IASIL 2001, which stressed the importance of taking audience reaction into consideration when analysing the historical significance of dramatic texts. Focusing on the author’s current research project, the article goes on to recognise that, desirable though such an approach is, the limitations of research facilities in a country like Brazil render it largely impracticable.