3: Theatre - Women - Politics
Politics - To keep on making theatre is in itself
a political choice: opting for human relationships
rather than mechanical, for intimacy rather than
mass media, for memory and resistance rather than
neglect and success. Politics has very different
meanings across time and geography, and the
meaning is constantly changing. Politics can
quickly be related to power: a way to keep in
power, or a way to criticise, overthrow,
counterbalance and take power; a way to live,
survive and deal with power or a way of separating
from power and of refusing. Women in the world are
now feeling a greater political responsibility and
are making a point of having their opinions heard.
For the third issue of The Open Page
dedicated to the theme Theatre-Women-Politics, we
have gathered articles which give an image of the
very different way in which politics affect
women's work in theatre. Some women have
experienced great changes in their countries, with
revolutions, counter-revolutions, dictatorships
and new unstable democracies; others have been
engaged in political theatre or still are, but in
a different way. Some women need to confront
contemporary political issues; others prefer to
keep a distance between their artistic work and
their demonstrations in support of the causes they
believe in. Some women have already proved their
commitment in the past, but have remained largely
obscure; others do not speak of politics, but of
funding, censorship, economic pressures, family
and village structures.
We have received many
articles and we have had to choose amongst them.
Judith Malina, Ariane Mnouchkine and Franca Rame
had to be part of this issue of The Open Page.
Their important political engagement in theatre,
their struggle which has resisted time, their
courage and integrity are certainly an example for
many of us. But to leave room for less known
theatre practitioners, we decided to print just
some quotes from texts by these three women as a
reminder of their vision and work. The articles
should be read taking into account the context
within which the authors are active. We do not
necessarily agree with the positions taken, but we
value a space where disagreement is possible and
where differences can be shared. We wanted to keep
a balance, but we are aware that some voices are
missing. With the next issue we hope that our
horizons will reach out to all corners of the
world.
The articles could be subdivided into
general, historical, interviews and dialogues,
particular projects and poetry ... but the words
quickly abandon one category to reach out for
another. All articles have geographical
references, as if the reality of Politics keeps us
attached to the earth. Going from one article to
the next we are reminded of injustice and poverty,
of isolation and war, of unemployment and
exploitation, but also of hope, joy, dignity and
dreams. The written words of these women remind us
of the socially active role of theatre today and
of the personal sense that each of us must give to
our actions, both on stage and in life.
Julia Varley
In theatre, women create performances which take a
position, denounce or inform; women give new
importance to the contents of shows and resolutely
take part in social movements and activities. For
a long time the form was the content and the
stress for change and development was on how to
make theatre, now it seems that many women are
pointing towards giving more consideration to what
is said with theatre and where they place their
work.
Holstebro, March 1998