Thirteenth International Conference on The Arts in Society

Abstract

Theatre has always been an excellent vehicle for political exchange: it thrives on dialectic and thematic tension and offers a visceral and emotional intensity that other forms cannot match. However, when the politics of the play overwhelm the flow of the narrative or the emotional appeal of the characters, the drama can lose its momentum and audience engagement. How is it possible to create a theatrical play that creates a useful balance between political discourse and compelling storytelling? How can we make the political message of the play palatable, punchy and apparently impartial? How can we create political theatre that will encourage change? Playwright Angie Farrow will consider these questions in relation to the writing of her own full-length drama, “The Politician’s Wife.”