| Alimentary Performances: Mimesis, Theatricality, and Cuisine Subjects: Arts; Social Sciences; Theatre & Performance Studies; Anthropology - Soc Sci; Performance Theory; Material Culture; Practice & Practitioners; A pea soda. An apple balloon. A cotton candy picnic. A magical mole. These are just a handful of examples of mimetic cuisine, a diverse set of culinary practices in which chefs and artists treat food as a means of representation. As theatricalised fine dining and the use of food in theatrical situations both grow in popularity, Alimentary Performances traces the origins and implications of food as a mimetic medium, used to imitate, represent, and assume a role in both theatrical and broader performance situations. This is an essential study for anyone interested in the intersections between food, theatre, and performance, from fine dining to fan culture and celebrity chefs to the drama of the cookbook. Kristin Hunt is an Assistant Professor of Film, Dance, and Theatre at Arizona State University, USA. |