From Peritext to Text: Constructing Authorship in David Hare’s Selected Plays

The article examines the ways in which two autographic peritexts tie in with the main texts of two verbatim plays they precede. The discussion addresses the question of transactions between peritext and text in view of interrelated aspects. Invoking background knowledge and the context of other verbatim plays, the inquiry concentrates mainly on The Permanent Way and Stuff Happens, staged in the years 2003-2004. While the main inquiry concerns the broader subject of constructing authorship in peritext, the further question involves the use of narrative frameworks to connect the peritext with the main text. The analysis concentrates on the ways a writer asserts, or declares, and stages his authorship, sometimes his authority, originating the process with significant enunciations in the prefatorial zone. Dealing with verbatim plays, the article invites reflection on the nexus of authorship, authority, authorization or authentication and “truth”.