change

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 

This book brings together case studies from practitioners and academics that explore the key themes behind Applied Theatre, with chapters exploring representation, ethics, participation, intervention, border crossing, transformation and globalisation.  Tim Prenki & Sheila Preston (ed), 2009 

This paper describes and defines theatre for social change as a specific field of practice, considering the features that differentiate it from other forms of participatory and applied drama.  Sarah Thornton, 2013 

This book tells the history of community arts in the UK through the experiences of those involved and discusses its influence on participatory arts today. An invaluable read for anyone making participatory theatre.  Alison Jeffers & Gerri Moriarty, 2017 

A fantastic overview of the development of participatory arts, with historical context, analysis of themes and principles and a clear understanding of where we are and how we got here. A must read. More resources on the supporting website. Francois Matarasso, 2019 

This report gives an introduction to what social impact in the arts means and draws on Liverpool City Council funded case studies to illustrate how the arts can help meet strategic social agenda. Annette Burghes & Sarah Thornton, 2017 

This academic report looked at UK theatre in the early 2000s. It drew out ten social impacts, categorised into personal, group, civic and ‘hard’. One of very few studies into theatre specifically, and still useful for benchmarking and advocacy.  University of Sheffield, 2006 

Seminal government report that sets out how the then Labour government believed sport and the arts could contribute to neighbourhood renewal, community development and social inclusion. Marked a turning point in government policy with regards arts and culture. DCMS, 1999 

The first major report to describe the impacts that participatory arts can have in terms of personal development, social cohesion, community empowerment, local image and identity, imagination and health and wellbeing. As valuable now as it was then.  Francois Matarasso, 1997