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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:From passive spectatorship to critical citizenship: towards a paradigm shift for community-based theatre practice in Zimbabwe
Author:Chinyowa, Kennedy C.ISNI
Year:2010
Periodical:African Performance Review (ISSN 1753-5964)
Volume:4
Issue:2
Pages:54-65
Language:English
Geographic term:Zimbabwe
Subject:community theatre
Abstract:Community-based theatre in Zimbabwe has played a limited role in promoting active citizenship. It has been dominated by a top-down development model promoting passive spectatorship. This article examines the development of community-based theatre in the country from its beginning with 'pungwe', all-night theatrical performances during the national liberation struggle (1966-1979). The transition from 'pungwe' to actual community-based theatre after independence in 1980 can be attributed to the Zimbabwe Association of Community Theatre (ZACT). However, this left a legacy which continued to promote a passive audience instead of active citizenship. The author argues for a paradigm shift towards Augusto Boal's theatre of the oppressed (1979), in particular forum theatre, which may be compared to what takes place in a traditional African village when people gather in an open space where court sessions are held, stories told, and dances and music performed. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]
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