Edward Bond and Drama in Education

Abstract

The theme of this conference is the past, present and future of drama in education. I want to look at where we are today, then to give some brief attention to the influences from the theatre that have helped shape our work and finally to suggest that new forms of classroom drama are possible and in fact sorely needed. These influences, I will suggest, are also to be found in current developments in theatre form and in this case, the developments in theatre form made by the English playwright, Edward Bond. What those new forms are, I am not yet sure. This is likely to some extent to be frustrating for you, but I think the time is ripe to search for what they may be, even though I cannot yet give clear suggestions.