The angel of living history: Theatricality and representations of the past

Living history performances attempt to create authentic reproductions, presentations that aim to present the past in the present as accurately as possible. Such performances have a tendency to present a single interpretation of history as the only interpretation possible. This article analyzes the performance Masada Live by the Asphalt Theatre company as an alternative living history performance. Masada Live uses theatricality to call attention to the constructed nature of the performance, creating a space for a more nuanced and critical understandings of a history.