Introduction
Ever since the emergence of theatre as a form of art, it has remained on of the most popular and expressive genres of art that continue to entertain as much as it informs. This is perhaps because for many years, theatre has been used as a social mirror of sorts; one that allows the audience as well as the performers to view the society in which they live for what it is. The ability of playwrights to craft magnificent and compelling theatrical pieces that highlight the plight of the societies in which they live arguably makes playwrights one of the most important groups of artistes today (Etherton and Prentki 14). It is worth noting that through the efforts of playwrights in the form of theatrical production, awareness on important social issues has been inspired and nurtured. In this way, theatre has proven to be an effective tool in highlighting the plight of its society. Applied theatre is observed to facilitate the translation of the aspects of different fields of study. This is especially so in the case of conflict or post-conflict. Seeing as conflict has often brought with it openly of harm and vice within the society, theater has been, and continues to be successfully used to educate and inform the general public about the conflict, and the devastation that it causes.
Role of Theatre
Primarily, the role of theatre is to shed light, albeit in an entertaining manner on the many social problems that plague societies. Playwrights employ the use of literary devices and techniques to create theatrical pieces that are educational and informative. Primarily through the use of plays, theatre has managed to remain a relevant social watchdog that reflects the society in which it exists (Barnes and Coetzee 24). This is especially vital during and after conflict. In the course of conflict such as civil wars, uprisings and other forms of strife, theatre has been an effective tool in creating awareness of the true scope surrounding the conflict in question. Plays written by the likes of Bertold Brecht, Athol Fugard, and Shakespeare, just to name a few, have had profound implications of the societies in which they live.
Activism and Highlighting the Effects of Conflict
Conflict is one of the most devastating forms of social disturbances, and it takes on many forms. From full-fledged wars to civil uprisings and even riots and demonstrations, conflict occurs in a myriad of forms. However, the underlying factor that links all these different forms of conflict is the fact that they all represent an idea (Etherton and Prentki 50). For instance, the civil war that engulfs Thebes in Antigone is the result of conflict between Eteocles and Polynices, two brothers fighting over who will be king. When they both die, Creon, their uncle, assumes power over Thebes, further heightening the conflict. The idea that Antigone believes both her brothers are entitled to proper burials is representative of the fact that plays can be used in powerful ways to challenge the existing conflicts within the society. Working from the backdrop of the long Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, this play reminds the public that conflict is one of the most destructive concepts within the society, and especially sued for wrong reasons much like Creon does in Antigone (Thompson 111).
However, theatre can be applied to help bolster activism efforts of a good cause within the society. This is, au fond, the core goal of theatre as a genre of art. Such efforts are explicitly seen in the works of Athol Fugard. Being a South African of Dutch descent, Fugard was an instrumental figure in the activism towards the release of Nelson Mandela from prison in apartheid South Africa. A vicious critic antagonist of this system, he used his plays to highlight the plight of Black people in South Africa, as well as pushing for the release of Mandela (Thompson 89). With a repertoire of plays that includes The Coat, Statements, Sizwi Bonzei is Dead, and The Island, just to name a few, Fugard addresses the attacks the apartheid regime for its inhumane treatment of Black South Africans, as in The Coat, and advocates for the release of Nelson Mandela, as in The Island (Barnes and Coetzee 108). In this way, theatre can be seen as an effective tool that is used in tackling the conflict within the society. This serves to create awareness on injustices within the society and encouraging the members of the audience, and the general public at that, to reflect on the issue and take the required action to combat the actual problem within the society.
Political Opinions
Theatre has often been used a tool for expressing the political opinions and situations that abound in a country. In other cases, this art form can also be sued to espouse on concepts and theories of political natures, as in the Melian Dialogue (Nicholson 93). Written by Thucydides in a form that reads much like a play, this piece delves into the core political concepts of realism and idealism as they apply in the society, and specifically to the Peloponnesian War. The Melian Dialogue does a great job at expanding on political idealism and realism. Through a lens that peers into the Peloponnesian War, he manages to highlight the atrocious war crimes and human rights abuses that were supported by political concepts of realism (Barnes and Coetzee 162). The massacre of the entire island of Melos by Athenian forces and the subsequent repopulation of the island with Athenian families is, in itself, the highest form of realism. The pragmatism, calculated nature, and moral indifference of realism are brought to light in The Melian Dialogue. Through this work, Thucydides sheds light on the concept of realism with its regard to national interest and application, allowing the reader to examine and analyze the pros and cons of such a political ideal. In essence, Thucydides uses The Melian Dialogue, an applied form of theatre, as a tool for addressing a number of issues in the post-conflict period (Thompson 175).
The play Antigone is also a prime example of how applied theatre can be used as a tool in conflict or in a post-conflict period. Having endured the death of her two brothers, Antigone faces Creon, her uncle, over the right to give not one but both of her brothers a proper burial. This confrontation posits a critical question regarding human rights and how they are bestowed upon individuals. By questioning whether such rights are awarded by natural law or by the state, this play allows the public to reflect on the matter. This creates awareness on human rights, and in this play, human rights abuse as well (Taylor 122). This play serves to reiterate the fact that theatre is a form of art that should be primarily used to improve the society, and the play Antigone is a brilliant representation of how theatre is an applied tool in conflict and post-conflict regimes within a society (Thompson 119).
Creating Social Awareness
Creating social awareness regarding important issues in the society is also a core function of applied theatre. This is because theater is a social mirror that allows individuals to view their society for what it truly is, from a spectator’s pint of view (Nicholson 73). Through this approach, an individual is able to reflect on social issues and problems that even he or she may a part of (Taylor 82). In this light, the viewers of plays are able to view the society, themselves included, for what it truly is. The body of work associated with Athol Fugard does an exemplary job at achieving this goal. For instance, the play titled The Coat is a tale that chronicles the experiences of a woman whose husband has been jailed in apartheid South Africa and who has only left his wife a coat, and explicit instructions on how to use it (Etherton and Prentki 142). This play, set in apartheid South Arica, is used to shed light on the social relationships that existed at the time. Fugard explores the relationships that individuals have with each other, as well as the relationship they had with the institutions that upheld and promoted apartheid oppression (Taylor 72). This raised the awareness of the viewers regarding the society in which they lived, and how the existing governmental institutions played a central role in the oppression of Black South Africans through the apartheid system. The play explores the extent to which Black South African suffered, and this serves to create awareness on the full scope of the effects attributed to the apartheid system. Similar themes can be explored in The Melian Dialogues and Antigone both of which also work to create awareness on the devastating effects associated with conflict, and how they affect the lives of ordinary individuals (Thompson 82). Through an analysis of the lives of ordinary Melians as well as individuals such as Antigone, audiences and the general public can be given a taste of conflict, and how it affects the society.
Tool for Self-Reflection
One of the most important roles of applied theatre is its ability to initiate and support self-reflection. Inasmuch as plays like Antigone and works such as The Melian Dialogue explore human suffering and the role of the society in conflict, they also initiate a process f self-reflection that allows the audience, viewer or member of the public to assess themselves and understand the role they play in the problems that abound in society (Barnes and Coetzee 131). There are two primary motivations that result in the intensification of conflict. First, the cultural aspirations of individuals are classified as one of the top needs of human beings. The creation of art has been attributed to the degradation of the aspect of suffering. Art plays an imperative role in the illustrations of conflict and post-conflict scenarios. In order to effectively illustrate conflict, art is observed to adopt a loud, joyous and vibrant approach. This serves as a mechanism of escaping desolation and the express the suffering, which is taking place or has already occurred as a result of conflict. This is arguably the most important goal of theatre, since when it comes to the nitty-gritty, social change must begin with individual change, and this cannot happen without self-reflection. This is especially important during and after conflict, seeing as self-reflection will greatly affect one’s perceptions during and after conflict (Barnes and Coetzee 140). For instance, Antigone explores the concept of human rights and their importance in individual and collective life. By facilitating an internal self-reflection process that ponders on human rights and their importance, this play fosters the development of a deeper understanding and respect for human rights, and the important role they play in normal life (Barnes and Coetzee 182). Such is the power of self-reflection.
Important political concepts such as realism, idealism and constructivism are also expounded through the use of applied theatre. The Melian Dialogue explores realism as a national concept, and its importance in realizing national goals and interests. Being a concept that prioritizes ‘political necessity’ as a result of state vulnerability, its depiction in The Melian Dialogue sheds light on political necessity and pragmatism within a nation, as is depicted in the massacre of the Melians (Barnes and Coetzee 162). Such views provide readers with broadened perspectives regarding human nature, the need to put oneself before others is exemplified in this ideal. However, it is imperative to note that the expression of art in theatre is not always joyous. Some of the theatrical plays are aimed at expressing dissatisfaction against ideologies, particularly in a dangerous and provocative environment. Theatre has a moral obligation to criticize and incite violence thus underscoring the important nature of the context. By reflecting on the outcome that followed this concept, individuals can reflect on whether realism is a concept that they would actually relate to. In a nutshell, such applications of applied theatre serve to support self-reflection from an informed point of view (Etherton and Prentki 48).
Conclusion
Theatre is one of the most important forms of art, and this fat cannot be reiterated enough. This is because all through history, theatre has managed to remain an influential force in social dynamics. The vast applications that can be attributed to this genre of art allow it to remain interesting, dynamic and effective. For instance, the play Antigone is important in reminding audiences and readers about the importance of human rights, while other plays such as The Coat and The Island are important projects that take on social dimensions insofar as raising awareness is concerned. It is this myriad of issues that can be addressed and explored through applied theatre that make it such a successful and popular form of art. As depicted above, applied theatre has a special place in conflict and post conflict times. This is because it allows audiences to critically reflect on the state of affairs surrounding the conflict in question, and develop their individual perspectives surrounding the conflict I question. This is an important process in promoting peace, as well as facilitating self-reflection over one’s contribution to the problem. Through this approach, applied theatre remains successful in tackling social issues during and after conflict periods.
Works Cited
Barnes, Hazel, and Marié-Heleen Coetzee. Applied Drama/theatre As Social Intervention in Conflict and Post-Conflict Contexts. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2014. Internet resource.
Etherton, Michael, and Tim Prentki. "Drama for change? Prove it! Impact assessment in applied theatre." Research in Drama Education 11.2 (2006): 139-155.
Nicholson, Helen. Applied drama: The gift of theatre. Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.
Taylor, Philip. Applied Theatre: Creating Transformative Encounters in the Community. , 2003. Print.
Thompson, James. Digging up stories: Applied theatre, performance and war. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2005.
Thompson, James. Performance Affects: Applied Theatre and the End of Effect. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009. Print.
