The essays in this collection explore transcultural events to reveal deeper understandings of the dynamic nature, power and effect of performance as it is created and witnessed across national and cultural boundaries. Focusing on historical and contemporary public events in multiple contexts, the contributors offer readings of transcultural exchanges between European countries, Asian countries, former colonies to Europe, African to Middle Eastern, colonisers and colonists to colonised peoples and back again. In the process explore questions around issues of aesthetics, cultural anxieties, cultural control and the effect of intentions on practice.