WORKSHOPPED/PROTEST/POOR
THEATRE
THE ISLAND
Athol Fugard, John Kani, Winston Ntshona
,INTENTIONS:
Testament…
of experience of black individual and community during Apartheid
against apartheid tyranny
Give voice to voiceless/mouthpiece to masses
Shatter white complacency
Raise awareness of injustices
RELEVANCE:
Universal theme: fight injustices and honour honourable things
Teaching tool: historical document – gives experiences of prisoners on Robben Island
Relatability: explores human connection and finding purpose
AUDIENCE APPEAL:
Emotional rollercoaster – highs and lows of life
Very physical play and a fast pace – keeps audience interested and invested
Care about characters and their struggles
, COMPARISON BETWEEN WORKSHOPPED, PROTEST AND POOR THEATRE
WORKSHOPPED THEATRE PROTEST THEATRE POOR THEATRE
TECHNIQUE Plot Personal experiences/stories Idea – most important Multiple plots intertwined
S Structure Not specified; generally episodic Episodic Non-linear
Scenes Tell story Strong visual imagery Multiple perspectives
Characters Based on real-life experiences Stereotypical/superficial Allegorical
Message delivery? Emotional or intellectual Emotional response Emotional
STAGING Sets n/a Sparse Sparse and symbolical
Venues n/a Anywhere Close to audience
Costumes n/a Simple, easily adaptable Symbolic and basic
Props n/a Multi-functional Symbolic and multi-functional
Lighting n/a Rudimentary Basic, can be symbolic
Actor-audience n/a Very close EXTREMELY CLOSE
relationship
INTENTIONS Share personal experiences with Politically-motivated, encourage Bring audience to a catharsis
audience to create awareness/ resistance, raise awareness, with the actors; highlights
show different perspectives social/political commentary, universal themes/topics through
Black Consciousness Movement ancient tales
THE ISLAND:
Creation: workshopped theatre
Style: Poor theatre
Themes/storytelling: protest theatre
THEATRE
THE ISLAND
Athol Fugard, John Kani, Winston Ntshona
,INTENTIONS:
Testament…
of experience of black individual and community during Apartheid
against apartheid tyranny
Give voice to voiceless/mouthpiece to masses
Shatter white complacency
Raise awareness of injustices
RELEVANCE:
Universal theme: fight injustices and honour honourable things
Teaching tool: historical document – gives experiences of prisoners on Robben Island
Relatability: explores human connection and finding purpose
AUDIENCE APPEAL:
Emotional rollercoaster – highs and lows of life
Very physical play and a fast pace – keeps audience interested and invested
Care about characters and their struggles
, COMPARISON BETWEEN WORKSHOPPED, PROTEST AND POOR THEATRE
WORKSHOPPED THEATRE PROTEST THEATRE POOR THEATRE
TECHNIQUE Plot Personal experiences/stories Idea – most important Multiple plots intertwined
S Structure Not specified; generally episodic Episodic Non-linear
Scenes Tell story Strong visual imagery Multiple perspectives
Characters Based on real-life experiences Stereotypical/superficial Allegorical
Message delivery? Emotional or intellectual Emotional response Emotional
STAGING Sets n/a Sparse Sparse and symbolical
Venues n/a Anywhere Close to audience
Costumes n/a Simple, easily adaptable Symbolic and basic
Props n/a Multi-functional Symbolic and multi-functional
Lighting n/a Rudimentary Basic, can be symbolic
Actor-audience n/a Very close EXTREMELY CLOSE
relationship
INTENTIONS Share personal experiences with Politically-motivated, encourage Bring audience to a catharsis
audience to create awareness/ resistance, raise awareness, with the actors; highlights
show different perspectives social/political commentary, universal themes/topics through
Black Consciousness Movement ancient tales
THE ISLAND:
Creation: workshopped theatre
Style: Poor theatre
Themes/storytelling: protest theatre
