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Theatre and Politics - LIT282 Fall 2025
Course
Ondrej Pilny
The course examines the depiction of political issues such as colonialism, totalitarianism, controversies concerning US domestic and international policies, and terrorism in twentieth- and twenty-first-century theatre. It also aims to discuss the role that theatre might play as a form of cultural intervention in these issues. The exploration of theatre and politics is based on an introduction to principal styles and genres of modern theatre that contemporary playwrights may use to address their themes, such as naturalism, epic theatre, and the theatre of the absurd. Influences of these styles are traced in recent European, American and Latin American plays, and are followed by a discussion of new theatrical genres, for instance, the monologue play or verbatim drama.
Students are kindly asked to download the course sylabus from the Resources section.
Here is the course outline:
WELCOME TO THEATRE AND POLITICSIn order to access the course sylabus and all texts, please go to Resources. Thank you! |
Introduction
Sep 2
Literature, Theatre, and Politics. A Brief Introduction to the History of Staging Conventions in Western Theatre. |
Realism
Sep 9
Realism in Theatre. The Politics of Naturalist Theatre. Reading: Henrik Ibsen, A Doll House Presentation: Ibsen. Reviews of A Doll House by Bernard Shaw and Ben Brantley. |
Theatre for Instruction
Sep 16
Brecht’s Epic Theatre vs. Naturalist Theatre. Reading: Bertolt Brecht, Mother Courage and Her Children Presentation: Brecht. Brecht, “Theatre for Pleasure or Theatre for Instruction”. |
The Theatre of the Absurd
Sep 23
The Theatre of the Absurd: Nihilistic or Engaged? Reading: Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot Presentation: Beckett. Martin Esslin, from The Theatre of the Absurd. |
Contemporary Theatre and Political Reality
Sep 30
Colonialism Reading: Brian Friel, Translations Presentation: The “Troubles” in Northern Ireland. |
Contemporary Theatre and Political Reality
Oct 7
Totalitarianism 1 Reading: Griselda Gambaro, Information for Foreigners Presentation: Political situation in Argentina, 1960-80. |
Contemporary Theatre and Political Reality
Oct 14
Totalitarianism 2 Reading: Tom Stoppard, Professional Foul Presentation: Political situation in Czechoslovakia, 1968-77. |
Contemporary Theatre and Political Reality
Oct 21
The American Dream? 1 Reading: David Mamet, Oleanna Presentation: Political correctness. |
Contemporary Theatre and Political Reality
Nov 4
The American Dream? 2 Reading: Tony Kushner, Angels in America, Part I: Millennium Approaches Presentation: AIDS: history of the disease and its perceptions. |
Contemporary Theatre and Political Reality
Nov 11
Terrorism and the Middle East 1 Reading: Robin Soans, Talking to Terrorists Presentation: Background information on the terrorist organisations represented in the play. |
Contemporary Theatre and Political Reality
Nov 18
Terrorism and the Middle East 2 Reading: David Hare, Via Dolorosa Presentation: History of Israel up to 1999. Essay abstracts due. |
Contemporary Theatre and Political Reality
Nov 25
Terrorism and the Middle East 3 Reading: Caryl Churchill, Seven Jewish Children; Drunk Enough to Say I Love You? Presentation: “War on terror”. |
Contemporary Theatre and Political Reality
Dec 2
The Current Resurgence of Nationalism Reading: David Ireland, Cyprus Avenue Presentation: The Historical and Cultural Background of Cyprus Avenue. Final essays due. |
Final test and feedback on final essays
Dec 9
For the description of the final test, please see course syllabus. |