Fifteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

This paper examines how Ugandan ‘critical’ theatre has represented physical and psychological violence regarding the war in northern Uganda. Specifically, it focuses on representations of methods, reasons, and circumstances for use of physical force towards, and psychological control of victims during the war as portrayed in three plays. By reasons and methods, we consider exactly how violence was inflicted on victims and the situations under which it happened. Previous scholars who have examined representations of war-related violence in theatre have focused on condensed aspects of violence such as saying that victims were killed or mutilated, without telling exactly how the killing or mutilation happened, and under what circumstances. This research explores patterns, sequences, and situations of violence. Ultimately, the paper aims to explore interrelations between disciplines of theatre and war studies by showing how the two have bearings on each other as seen through three Ugandan plays: Silent Voices, Forgotten World and Forged in Fire.