Celebrity Translation in British Theatre

Analysing real texts and responses by audiences, Stock uses Relevance Theory to examine how the celebrity translator’s voice and attitudes interact with those of the original playwright and argues clearly and cogently that the collaborative nature of celebrity translation should be better understood. * Jean Boase-Beier, Professor Emerita of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing, University of East Anglia, UK *
Robert Stock’s new book represents an invaluable contribution to translation, literary criticism, and relevance theory. Accessible, erudite, and deeply informed by theatrical practice and theory, Celebrity Translation in British Theatre delights and informs in equal measure, and its insightful, provocative analysis will furnish the basis for significant advance in a range of allied disciplines. * Anne Furlong, Associate Professor of English, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada *
Translation practitioners and theorists alike have tended to be suspicious of celebrity theatre translation for its perceived role in undermining the status of both ‘ordinary’ and literal translators. Celebrity Translation in British Theatre will push us to re-examine our thinking on this topic, showing how celebrity theatre translators can positively influence an audience’s encounter with a translated play. Stock innovatively marries insights from stylistics and relevance theory with his professional experience as a market researcher in this thoroughly contemporary and welcome contribution to Translation Studies research. * Chantal Wright, Reader in Translation as a Literary Practice, University of Warwick, UK *