This is a collection of essays which explore the historical and cultural territories of performance, written by scholars in the field. The essays, exploring performance art, theatre, music and dance, range from Oscar Wilde to Eric Clapton; from the Rose Theatre to U.S. Holocaust museums. The topic includes: sex play - stereotype, pose and dildo; grave performances - the cultural politics of memory; genealogies - critical performances; and identity politics - passing, carnival and the law.