Theatre for Life: Public Ritual and Public Dreams in Vancouver

Abstract

For some time I have had the feeling that our culture, while becoming more and more crowded, is somehow dispersing, that even while people are living in closer and closer physical proximity, spiritually and emotionally, we have become distanced from each other and the life of the community. Modern life has drained the magic and simplicity from traditional celebrations; science has exploded mythology; materialism has pre-empted ritual; and declining faith and diverse religious beliefs have diluted the common ground that culminates in public expression. People need celebration and ritual. Publicly and privately, it is how we mark major milestones, and it is also an indicator of how we define ourselves. In neighbourhoods where everybody has their own religion, beliefs, and cultural history, creating an artistic event is a shared ritual that helps bond the community. The time taken to plan the event, to discuss what is important, to create art and images and, especially, to really listen to each other, strengthens the threads of communication between friends and neighbours. Popular theatre, such as carnival, the processional or the community play, provides a forum where this can take place.