Protest Theatre Flashcards
Name 3 examples of protest theatre
“Working Class Hero”(Kessie Govender)
“Freedom Now” (Cape Flats Players)
“Saturday Night at the Palace” (Paul Slabolepszy)
What does playwright Jakes Mda say about protest theatre? (3)
Protest Theatre makes a statement of disapproval/disagreement.
It addresses itself to the oppressor, with a view of appealing to his conscience.
It is a theatre of complaint and sometimes weeping.
What are some emotions that protest drama voices?
Anger and frustration.
What messages do protest plays contain?
Often political messages and highlight topical issues in society.
What might protest plays become?
“The mouthpiece for the masses”
What were protest plays in South Africa from the 1960s often about?
The harsh realities of living under apartheid and its restrictive laws, poverty and severe censorship.
What are some themes of protest theatre?
The dehumanisation of people:
Sense of isolation, the negation of self worth and the loss of identity.
Audience sympathises with the cause/victims: they are encouraged to reflect and re-evaluate their previous opinions and behaviour.
Emotional response from audience=might trigger change.
What are the aims of protest theatre? (4)
Raise awareness
Expose injustice
Suggest a change or alternative
Educate, instruct and bring about reform
Discuss the style of protest theatre?
Most important is the message.
All other features (plot, characters, set design, dressing) are secondary to goal of motivating or inspiring change.
Jerzy Grotowski’s ideas of Poor Theatre are often incorporated.
Discuss the structure of Protest Theatre
Tends to be EPISODIC which means they may contain a collection of loosely-linked moments rather than scenes following neatly in a chronological sequence.
Discuss the legacy of protest theatre and two examples
It was a forerunner of Theatre of Resistance which became the dominant genre in South Africa from the 1980s.
Theatre of resistance became a powerful political weapon that promoted revolutionary action against apartheid.
Eg of Theatre of Resistance: “Sarafina!”(Mbongeni Ngema) and “Dit sal die Blerrie Dag Wees” (Cape Flats Players)
Discuss the style of acting in Protest Theatre
Very physical, physically demanding.
Discuss the style of visuals in protest theatre
Performance is strongly visual and symbolic.
Often see posters, placards and signs-visual clues that amplify the message of resistance.
Minimal distractions or decorations on stage besides a few ambiguous props used throughout in a variety of ways.
Discuss the style of protest theatre with other art forms
Music, singing and dancing can form part of protest theatre as they contribute to heightening the emotions.
