Verbatim: Contemporary Documentary Theatre

by Will Hammond (Editor), Will Hammond (Editor), Dan Steward (Editor)

Verbatim plays are constructed by the playwright from precise words spoken by people interviewed about a particular event or topic. They lend the play an authority that shifts the theater from mere entertainment to a form of reportage, politicizing the audience. Contributors include David Hare, Max Staff ord-Clark, Alecky Blythe, Nicolas Kent, Richard Norton-Taylor, and Robin Soans.

Genres: Theatre

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In preparation for managing a production of The Laramie Project, I wanted to do a little bit of research into verbatim theatre- theatre that uses real people's words (from interviews or transcripts) instead of a fictional script. Verbatim offers an interesting insight into the way that theatre practitioners can become journalist for more complex stories by offering a carefully edited narrative in a live performance.

What I found most interesting in this book was the emphasis on capturing the "essence" of an argument or a person rather than attempt to imitate or offer a complete reproduction of reality. Verisimilitude without total accuracy, to create a digestible and (if done correct) unbiased truth.