Theatre as communal work

Abstract

This article examines theatre's special function in rural communities that have weakened social coherence and cohesion. It considers theatre-making as a communal activity that crosses class and cultural boundaries, bringing people together in ways that mirror the interdependencies and local focus of past rural living. The author considers the nature of community theatre, the changing nature of communities, the loss of shared story and the concept of theatre as communal work. Four diverse case studies of community theatre are presented.