Rose English emerged from the Conceptual art, dance and feminist scenes of 1970s Britain to become one of the most influential performance artists working today. Her uniquely interdisciplinary work combines elements of theatre, circus, opera and poetry to explore themes of gender politics, the identity of the performer and the metaphysics of presence. English has mounted performances in ice rinks; at the Royal Court Theatre and Tate Britain, London and Franklin Furnace, New York; and collaborated with horses, magicians and acrobats. This comprehensive monograph documents English's 40-year career to date, including legendary site-specific performances and large-scale spectaculars. Accompanying many rare archival photographs and performance scripts, a major essay by Guy Brett surveys the artist's work and times alongside interviews with two of English's closest collaborators, Sally Potter and Simon Vincenzi. Abstract Vaudeville is published in association with the exhibitions Rose English: The Eros of Understanding at Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Copenhagen and Rose English at Camden Arts Centre, London.
