The Ecologies of Amateur Theatre
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Beschreibung
This book is the first major study of amateur theatre, offering new perspectives on its place in the cultural and social life of communities. Historically informed, it traces how amateur theatre has impacted national repertoires, contributed to diverse creative economies, and responded to changing patterns of labour. Based on extensive archival and ethnographic research, it traces the importance of amateur theatre to crafting places and the ways in which it sustains the creativity of amateur theatre over a lifetime. It asks: how does amateur theatre-making contribute to the twenty-first century amateur turn?
This book is the first major study of amateur theatre, offering new perspectives on its place in the cultural and social life of communities. Historically informed, it traces how amateur theatre has impacted national repertoires, contributed to diverse creative economies, and responded to changing patterns of labour. Based on extensive archival and ethnographic research, it traces the importance of amateur theatre to crafting places and the ways in which it sustains the creativity of amateur theatre over a lifetime. It asks: how does amateur theatre-making contribute to the twenty-first century amateur turn?
Explores the contribution that amateur dramatic companies make to the experience and representation of community life Offers a detailed account of the processes of making amateur theatre, locating contemporary practice in an historical context Captures a new era of amateur creativity and the twenty-first century amateur turn
Autor*in
Helen Nicholson
Themen in »The Ecologies of Amateur Theatre«
Amateur theatre Community theatre Creative economies Archival research Ethnographic research Applied drama Education and performance Performance and participation
Stimmen zu »The Ecologies of Amateur Theatre«
“This study is a hugely satisfying read, both critical and timely … . The book is both theoretically rich and immensely readable, and it will, I am sure, be a spur to many to take up its challenge; to not only pay more attention to the histories and present practices of amateur theatre, but to begin to look critically at the value hierarchies that dominate the theatre studies discipline more widely as a consequence.” (Liz Tomlin, Journal of Contemporary Drama in English, Vol. 8 (2), 2020)
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“At last! A detailed, profound study which elucidates amateur theatre's unrecognised status in the UK by approaching it hands-on. This readable book analyses the contribution made by Amateur Theatre to the contemporary cultural economy and sheds a spotlight on its significance as a creative practice. It describes us as cultural omnivores, devouring every scrap of theatrical possibility and keeping the flame of new writing burning quietly until it enters, or re-enters the national repertoire. Officialdom is urged to pay attention to this excellent book, which shows how Amateur Theatre is a force for good.” (Jo Matthews, The Questors, Ealing and The Little Theatre Guild)
“This book shines a much-needed spotlight on the world of amateur theatre. It demonstrates that the art of theatre making belongs to everyone, and reminds us amateur theatre is where many of us fell in love with making and watching theatre in the first place. In learning about the UK's estimated one millionamateur theatre makers, you quickly learn that theatre is much more than a profession or an industry. You find theatre making answers a very human need to gather together, to tell stories, to pretend, to show off, to act out what it means to be human beings. And the desire to perform unpaid, against the odds, often on limited resources, while juggling busy lives, demonstrates the power of a theatre as an art form that speaks to us whoever we are.” (Ian Wainwright, Producer, Royal Shakespeare Company Open Stages)
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