Legislative Theatre

by Augusto Boal, Adrian Jackson (Translator)

Augusto Boal's reputation is now moving beyond the realms of theatre and drama therapy, bringing him to the attention of a wider public. Legislative Theatre is the latest and most remarkable stage in his work. 'Legislative Theatre' is an attempt to use Boal's method of 'Forum Theatre' within a political system to create a truer form of democracy. It is an extraordinary experiment in the potential of theatre to affect social change.
At the heart of his method of Forum Theatre is the dual meaning of the verb 'to act': to perform and to take action. Forum Theatre invites members of the audience to take the stage and decide the outcome, becoming an integral part of the performance. As a politician in his native Rio de Janeiro, Boal used Forum Theatre to motivate the local populace in generating relevant legislation. In Legislative Theatre Boal creates new, theatrical, and truly revolutionary ways of involving everyone in the democratic process.
This book
* a full explanation of the genesis and principles of Legislative Theatre
* a description of the process in operation in Rio
* Boal's essays, speeches and lectures on popular theatre, Paolo Freire, cultural activism, the point of playwrighting, and much else besides.

Genres: Theatre, Nonfiction, Theory, Politics

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Augusto Boal was a Brazilian theatre director, writer and politician. He was the founder of Theatre of the Oppressed, a theatrical form originally used in radical popular education movements.

His books are very influential. With 22 published works, translated to more than 20 languages, his views are studied in Theatre schools all over the world.

Reviews

[Claudio · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Venci. Durante quatro anos, vivi exilado do teatro profissional e conheci a arena sangrenta da Câmara; aprendi o que já sabia - ali é o lugar onde se vai brigar por apetites pessoais ou corporativos; não pelo povo." Ótimas reflexões sobre democracia e participação popular, mesmo 25 anos depois. Gostei particularmente dos discursos, deve ter sido lindo acompanhar ele ao vivo como orador.

[Ursa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. It could've been shorter too. I just read it for a uni class on theatre because my google search wasn't fruitful. I wish I had spent my time reading..not this.

[J Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boal's goal is to literally change the world through theatre. The Legislative Theatre is part history, part how-to. As I head toward grad school in social work, this book is becoming a treasure as I try to articulate how it is a Bacherlor's in Theatre and a Master's in Social work can be combined to really help people.

[Tanya Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read certain parts of this book. It went really well with his Theater of the Oppressed as you get to see how he implemented theater into the political sphere. A great read and a great reference to have. I will finish it eventually.