2. Dr Nicola Abraham, Theatre for Change 2016

3. Essay Question #1 Actual Question Translation of academic language 'The act of theatre is utopian, for it is predicated upon the possibility of another way being possible. As such, it is a small act of resistance against right-wing politicians - in Britain, from Thatcher to Cameron - who insist that there is no alternative... In the ever-changing action of becoming, there is always an alternative' (Pammenter & Prentki 2014:18). Discuss this statement in relation to two examples of practice. Theatre is idealistic, it works on the idea that there are other ways of doing things i.e. things can change. You could say that is it then that theatre that aims to provoke change is only a small act of protest against conservatives like David Cameron who argue that this is just the way things are, and there is no alternative way of running the country. Pammenter and Prentki disagree, they think that nothing ever stays the same – things are always changing, which means there is always an alternative. What do you think? Argue your point with a few examples of practice as evidence to support your ideas.

4. 'The problem, in short, is that theatre's instrumentalism, its use as a means of guiding our actions and changing the world, does not work - never did, never will' (Kelleher, 2009:57). Do you agree with Kelleher? Discuss with reference to two examples of practice Essay Question #2 Actual Question Translation of academic language Theatre that aims to change things doesn’t exist! It doesn’t work, never has and never will! What do you think? Argue your point with a few examples of practice as evidence to support your ideas. …an activity (such as science, law, or education) chiefly as an instrument or tool for some practical purpose, rather than in more absolute or ideal terms:

5. 'It is true that the Joker in a Forum Theatre session, for instance, must maintain his or her neutrality and try not to impose his or her own ideas, BUT only after having chosen his or her camp! The Joker's neutrality is a responsible act and arises after having made a choice, after taking the side of the oppressed; the substance of the Joker is doubt, seed of all certainties; the end is discovery, not abstention' (Boal, 2006, p.104). Discuss this statement in relation to two examples of practice. Essay Question #3 Actual Question Translation of academic language The Joker is always supposed to be neutral i.e. listen to the opinions of the spect-actors (audience) but not hold his on point of view. However, this is only after the Joker is aware of what he thinks i.e. what he decides is a problem in the scene, who is right and who is wrong. The Joker is responsible for being neutral in his/her role but there is a problem here, s/he may be neutral in his/her approach but he has already taken side in his/her mind. The role of the Joker is to sow a seed of doubt in the spect-actors, i.e. to make them think! The end of the Forum should lead to the spect-actors discovering a new way of thinking about a situation. What do you think? Argue your point with a few examples of practice as evidence to support your ideas.

6. 'Drama and theatre cannot stop violence or global warming or cure AIDS or mental illness. But drama and theatre workers can address profound personal and social issues by facilitating the transformation of complex realities into vivid, provocative metaphors' (Landy 2012:246). Discuss in relation to two examples of practice Essay Question #4 Actual Question Translation of academic language Drama can’t solve the world’s problems but it can examine these problems through performance using metaphors to make problems clearer (perhaps so that they might be resolved a little at a time or at least understood!). What do you think? Argue your point with a few examples of practice as evidence to support your ideas.

7. AUSTERITY  ++/--- balance the spread sheet NEOLIBERALISM  no trickle down/ rich richer/poor poorer Theatre as Disobedience  tbc @Reagan@Thatcher@Cameron@restoftheworldsoon!

9. EXPERIMENT #1 Title: Austerity Beans NEEDED: Three volunteers. PROPS: Three badges, jelly beans, scissors and plastic bags. ROLES: The bottom 40% public service users, the top 10% private service users & the government/austerity. 40% - Jack 10% - Hugo Government – Oz Territy <---see what I did there?! SCENARIO: Financial collapse.

11. EXPERIMENT #2 Title: Neoliberal Puzzle NEEDED: Groups of 4/5. PROPS: Envelopes with Puzzle pieces ROLES: Detective Investigators TASK: Put the puzzle together and solve the clues to find out a missing piece of the puzzle. TIME: 10minutes REPORT BACK FINDINGS

12. Neoliberalism is an economic theory Austerity is a means of addressing debt – it’s a cycle where the rich made the mess that the poor sweep up in the loss of public services i.e. costs the government less to fund thereby reducing the amount to pay on top of paying back debt. It has been implemented to build dependency upon a system which is ultimately flawed. It keeps people in poverty as a way of enabling the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer. It’s cycle predicts behaviours and harbours exclusion – but can we break out of these cycles through disobedience art?