Non-naturalistic performance in political narrative drama: methodologies and languages for political performance with reference to the rehearsal, and production of E to the power 3 – education, education, education

Peters, L; Becker, S

Abstract

The devised practice-as-research production E to the Power 3 Education, Education, Education (E3) was first staged at The Robert Powell Theatre, Salford 25th-27th April 2002. Scenes from the production were then performed at The Lowry, Salford Quays in June 2002. The production examined the political, cultural and psychological influences that determine definitions of education. The fractured, stylised narrative investigated current British education policy and, specifically, the arrangements for regulation when an inspection team (OFSTED) descend on an inner-city "failing" school.

The article explores the production’s notions of a re-defined ‘theatre of politics’ – a union of traditional forms fusing, for example, “Epic” and British polemical interventionist theatre techniques and genres. The chapter addresses the key research questions that informed the practice:

a) How effectively can the combination of "Epic" with other expressionist theatrical forms communicate contemporary political issues?
b) What new rehearsal approaches and methodologies can be devised to express the political themes of the play?
c) Are there repeatable techniques that can be identified and employed in the creation and/or adaptation of other productions?

Citation

Peters, L., & Becker, S. Non-naturalistic performance in political narrative drama: methodologies and languages for political performance with reference to the rehearsal, and production of E to the power 3 – education, education, education. In S. Haedicke, D. Heddon, A. Oz, & E. Westlake (Eds.), Political Performances Theory and Practice (331-348). Amsterdam - New York: Rodopi

• Deposit Date: Oct 18, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 18, 2011
• Publisher: Rodopi
• Pages: 331-348
• Series Title: Themes in Theatre Collective Approaches to Theatre and Performance
• Book Title: Political Performances Theory and Practice
• ISBN: 978-90-420-2606-3
• Additional Information: Additional Information : The book and chapter have been reviewed by Pia Wiegmink, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz,[e-mail] (http://journals.cambridge.org). Draft papers of the article with video footage of the production have been presented at: The University of Reading International Conference "Political Futures: Alternative Theatre in Britain" in April 2004. The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland, USA - IFTR (International Federation for Theatre Research) Conference Political Performance Working Group in June 2005.