Abstract
Theatrical practices in the courtrooms of the United States and Great Britain are examined in this article. These practices are viewed specifically in relation to the concept of "staging the nation." This concept deals with the notion of the nation as an imaginary entity, an idea constructed through cultural practices. Theater plays a strong role in the workings of the imagined nation. Yet, theatrical practices, outside of the offical theater, operate in many of the institutions that comprise soceity. The law, as a foundational institution, contains theatrical elements that aid in the "rehearsal" of the nation. Explorations of the idea of an imagined nation, the representations of national identity in the thater, and the presence of theatricality in the courtroom are synthesized in a study that seeks to elucidate the possible functions and purposes of theatricality in the law.
Highlights
THEATRICALPRACTICES IN THECOURTROOMSOFTHEUNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN ARE EXA MINED IN THISARTICLE
Though we recognize that these elements exist i n the actual courtroom, we seldom attempt to articulate what they are beyond the shallow acknowledgement that law and the court can be "dramatic." What, i f any, are some of the major theatrical practices and characteristics of the court system i n Western democracies such as the United States and the United Kingdom? what are the theatrical elements doing there i n the first place? What purpose do they serve?
Many people involved i n theater studies recognize the importance of Benedict Anderson's views and of subsequent inspired projects, such as Nation and Narration, i n so far as how we examine the existence of nations
Summary
THEATRICALPRACTICES IN THECOURTROOMSOFTHEUNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN ARE EXA MINED IN THISARTICLE. We seem to recognize the presence of theatrical elements i n the courtroom that can be manipulated and exaggerated to produce riveting entertainment. Though we recognize that these elements exist i n the actual courtroom, we seldom attempt to articulate what they are beyond the shallow acknowledgement that law and the court can be "dramatic." What, i f any, are some of the major theatrical practices and characteristics of the court system i n Western democracies such as the United States and the United Kingdom? For example, examines the role theater, as a cultural practice, plays i n constructing the imaginary nation. As we seem to think, there are theatrical elements i n the courtroom, we must question what role these elements play i n "performing" the nation. A careful examination of the theatrical characteristics of the courtroom, i n relation to the concept of "staging the nation," reveals the ways i n which these characteristics aid the creation of the concept of the nation
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