At the outset, the editors would like to thank all those who facilitated the publication of this book: the Cross/Cultures series editors, who encouraged this project when it was still in embryo; Christa Stevens, Iulia Ivana, and Masja Horn at Brill, who carefully oversaw the peer review process and the different stages of production; Jessica Maufort and Samuel Pauwels, who diligently prepared the formatting of the volume and harmonised bibliographical references. The editors are also deeply grateful to the anonymous peer-reviewers, whose valuable suggestions strengthened the anthology’s arguments and cohesiveness. The editors also wish to acknowledge the generous research funding from their respective institutions, the National Fund for Scientific Research-Belgium (f.r.s-fnrs) and Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington, provided over the years. The various travel grants they received enabled the editors to develop the theoretical premises which ultimately led to the edition of this book. Further, the editors are indebted to Māori artist Sam Te Tau (Rangitane, Ngāti Kahungunu). Sam Te Tau is from Wairarapa and has been a practicing artist for over 40 years. After a formal art education at Meadowbank College in New South Wales, he majored in painting and printmaking at Nepean College of Advanced Education, Sydney, Australia. The editors warmly thank him for giving them permission to reproduce his artwork on the book’s cover. 2023 saw the passing of a major scholar of postcolonial theatre studies, Albert-Reiner Glaap (1929–2023), who taught at the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf for many years. Not only was his scholarly influence decisive, but he also helped spark a long friendship and productive professional relationship between the two editors. Indeed, in the 2003 volume Keying in to Postcolonial Cultures, which he co-edited with Marc Maufort, Albert-Reiner Glaap had the excellent idea of inviting as a contributor a promising scholar of New Zealand drama, David O’Donnell. The present book, which reflects Albert-Reiner Glaap’s unique ability to bring together like-minded intellectuals, is therefore dedicated to his memory.
Brussels and Wellington
10 December 2023