Playing the (power) game

Abstract

From the initial building of an ensemble through to the presentation of a group‐devised production, Chrissie Poulter demonstrates how she has integrated techniques learnt from Boal with her own approaches to theatre‐making. The article proposes that care must be taken when borrowing from Boal since many of his games are based on use ‐ and therefore open to the potential abuse ‐ of power. Two case studies from Ireland are discussed: Youth theatre in Enniskillen ‐ challenging the popular twin images of tourism and terrorism, the project utilised Image Theatre as a means of locating the young people's perceptions of themselves and their future. Bullying in schools ‐ contributing to the developing programme of personal and social education in schools, the project used Forum Theatre as a means of gathering material from young people about peer‐group victimisation at school.