A sociological investigation of theatre : practitioners’ perspectives on theatre’s potential to generate socio-political discussions

Abstract

This study’s aim is to understand how theatre practitioners and scholars view the potential of theatre as a platform for socio-political discussion. In this research study, examples from authorative sources of how theatre has been able to conjure such dialogues have been used in order to shed light on the sociological aspects of this art form. In her works, Maria Shevtsova stated that although theatre has been viewed by many as something not of society, and therefore cannot be studied sociologically, however, given that theatre is not only of society but also about society, not only can it be studied sociologically through sociology of the theatre, but it can also be analysed through political sociology. In this study, theatre on contemporary issues is analysed through both political sociology and sociology of the theatre. In order to generate data which could make this case even more valid, producers of such plays were approached to participate in this study. Some of these participants were also greatly influenced by Augusto Boal, who was a theatre activist, as through his plays he was not only putting up theatre, but he was also being a social activist by scripting performances on socio-political topics. Boal’s work, in this study, is mentioned many times due to his influential theatre, especially since his works were performed in Malta. Although this research mainly analysed theatre which has been used for social or political means, it does not mean that the fact that theatre is first and foremost seen as entertainment has been ignored. In order for theatre to impact anyone, in regard to any matter, it has to be entertaining, as otherwise, there would be no difference between a theatre performance and a lecture at school.