Theatre and theatricality in the work of David Hockney, 1961-1978

This thesis is concerned with the involvement of artist David Hockney (b.1937) with theatre and theatricality. Interspersed with his studio artwork,Hockney's designs for opera, dance and drama have comprised a significant aspect of his illustrious career. They have stimulated change and exchange in his personal creativity; formed a bridge between fine art and the performing arts; and afforded interaction with music, text and theatre technology. Focusing on the period 1961 to 1978, this investigation assesses the nature

and extent of these relationships and Hockney's broader engagement with 'the theatrical'. It is the first sustained critical study to address these precise areas of interdisciplinary research.

Using textual, pictorial and audio-visual sources, including performance recordings and personal interviews, this analysis explores the dialogue between Hockney's stage designs and his work in other media; his theatrical engagement with the ventures of other artists and creators; and his response to the specific challenges of designing for the performing arts. Whilst often marginalised by curators and historians, Hockney's theatre involvement is shown to be an integral and motivational facet of his oeuvre and an

expression of his wider commitment to 'theatricality' as an artistic ideal.