Theatre History & Styles

John McGrath’s manifesto for Popular Theatre, describing what he believed theatre can achieve when it is taken out of traditional theatre buildings and engages with communities; and how 7:84 achieved this. John McGrath, 1981

This book introduces the work of Welfare State International and sets it in context, as well as giving practical guides and techniques for making lanterns, puppets and other ingredients for a WSI spectacle. Tony Coult and Baz Kershaw, 1983

A classic book that charts the growth of the community arts movement in the UK, its political context and its role in cultural activism. Reissued recently as a free e-book, a useful provocation for contemporary practitioners. Owen Kelly, 1984

This classic book discusses the development of political theatre in the UK since Shakespeare with chapters on post 1960s political and community theatre. Andrew Davies, 1987

This is an excellent description of social documentary theatre, explaining how the form works and its historical roots. Helpful for contemporary practitioners to better understand the form and see its applications. Derek Paget, 1987

This book gives a detailed introduction to Boal’s theories and sets out the different forms of Theatre of the Oppressed, including Image, Invisible and Forum theatre. Also includes many practical theatre games. For many more books by Boal about different aspects of TO look here. Augusto Boal, 1992

One of the first books to document international community theatre through detailed case studies. These are excellent observations of diverse practices. Van Erven went on to establish the International Community Arts Festival. Eugene van Erven, 2001

This article offers a broad range of insights into what academics and practitioners understand by the term Applied Theatre, and gives a good over view of the terrain. Research in Drama Education, 2004

The eight international case studies in this book show a broad range of participatory theatre approaches, each demonstrating radical empowerment, and offering provocative food for thought for practitioners. Richard Boon & Jane Plastow, 2004