#1Plays about colonial oppression?
Posted: 11/3/23 at 6:02pm
Theatre can, and arguably should, be political.
A striking example of this would be the recent Ukrainian production of Brian Friel's "Translations".
A play about soldiers marching into a country town and banning use of the native language. A language switch from Irish/English to Ukrainian/Russian obviously drew parallels with current events. It sold out every night at the national theatre in Kyiv, although sadly of course the house could not be full every show due to air sirens and disruptions to public transport.
The shameful world history of imperialism seems like a potent subject for drama.
What other plays have there been on this subject?
#3Plays about colonial oppression?
Posted: 11/3/23 at 6:39pm
Les Blancs
A Tempest (and arguably The Tempest)
The Romans in Britain
My Name Is Rachel Corrie
KevinKlawitter
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/21/20
#6Plays about colonial oppression?
Posted: 11/4/23 at 4:46pm
Thank you, I don't know most of these. They all seem interesting.
#7Plays about colonial oppression?
Posted: 11/7/23 at 11:41am
"Translations" is now playing at the Irish Rep on W 22nd St until December 3.
Irish Repertory Theatre will produce its debut production of Brian Friel’s Translations as the first installment of The Friel Project. In 1833 Baile Beag, County Donegal, a hedge schoolmaster gives his Irish-speaking students a classical education, versing them in Ancient Greek and Latin—but not in English. Meanwhile, the British Army arrives to create a new map of Ireland that will “standardize” the Irish place-names to English. When the schoolmaster’s son returns home from Dublin to serve as the Army’s translator, the fate of the Irish locals and their native tongue is cast into uncertainty. The play is a captivating exploration of the power of language to kindle romance, ignite tensions, and inflame the human heart’s yearning to understand.
SeanD2
Featured Actor Joined: 5/2/17
#8Plays about colonial oppression?
Posted: 11/7/23 at 11:46am
That's a big theme throughout the plays that make up The Great Game Afghanistan. Especially the one act that shows the westerners sitting around and drawing new national borders without the input of the people who live there.
Voter
Broadway Star Joined: 5/19/20
#9Plays about colonial oppression?
Posted: 11/7/23 at 1:11pm
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