Is theatre as agitprop too risky in today's political climate?
Is theatre as agitprop too risky in today's political climate?
Joined: 12/31/69
Is theatre as agitprop too risky in today's political climate?#0
Posted: 6/10/05 at 1:44pm
Currently, the Mark Taper Forum in LA is producing David Hare’s new play STUFF HAPPENS, a “magnificent portrayal and exploration of how and why we went to war in Iraq” (Gordon Davidson). It is a blistering commentary on the sociological and philosophical implications of recent world history.
But there’s an aspect of this endeavor that is a little frightening to me. Mr. Hare premiered this piece in his native England, and this is now its American premiere. Even though he has had some readings around the country, according to him in a recent interview, he has not one other offer to produce this piece. Apparently, no one as of yet is willing to risk the alienation of their audience – or make a name for themselves as a voice of dissent against our current administration. Gordon Davidson was willing to (perhaps even eager) because this is his last production as artistic director at the Forum.
Theatre has a tradition of questioning and holding up to examination the times in which it exists. If the climate created by those who are in power now has caused some in our community to step back from that purpose out of fear, then I find it tragic – and a large indicator of the dark time we seem to be mired in.
re: Is theatre as agitprop too risky in today's political climate?#1
Posted: 6/10/05 at 1:47pmI do want to see this -- it looks very intriguing, to say the least...
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Is theatre as agitprop too risky in today's political climate?#2
Posted: 6/10/05 at 2:00pmShira - we saw it last night. Honestly, I was more intrigued by the audience reactions than what was happening on stage. They even booed and hissed like they were at a melodrama when Cheney first showed up. And truth be told, it probably IS a melodrama!
re: Is theatre as agitprop too risky in today's political climate?#3
Posted: 6/10/05 at 2:03pm
Much like the play within the play of 'Hamlet', this type of only has value as agitprop only if those whom the message is directed to will experience it.
I am afraid that much like a Michael Moore piece, it may lose some value with this type of press coverage... The "Woe is me, I'm not getting produced because I'm so political" mentality is great for getting one's name in the paper, but that is fleeting.
People who aren't already in unison with the work's ideology will stay away, and the message is just shouted into the wind.
Professional theatre companies are often scared of strong works because there are a whole lot of Republicans writing cheques and sitting on the board. For what it's worth, a piece of work that will alienate half of the country probably has less than half the chances at getting produced outside of the two major metros.
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Is theatre as agitprop too risky in today's political climate?#4
Posted: 6/10/05 at 2:10pm
CK - I agree 100%. I had visions of someone trying to produce this in the midwest and having the cast gunned down onstage. And frankly, it really didn't present anything that hasn't already been covered before (except for one fairly shocking scene where he presented that the Brits had actually cornered Bin Laden at one point, but were told by the United States not to abduct him - for reasons of hubris, basically.)
It very much had the atmosphere of preaching to the choir.
I have felt the real power of the LARAMIE PROJECT has come from productions being done by high schools around the country. There is NO WAY that this could have that kind of life.
re: Is theatre as agitprop too risky in today's political climate?#5
Posted: 6/10/05 at 2:18pm
But for a general conversation about this, I say that while the reality that ckeaton presents exists, it is a sad day for art and for theatre when theatre defies its history and stops being political.
There is an audience for this type of theatre (or film) and while it may be preaching to the choir, this doesn't negate the need to "put things on record". And, there are times when the very people who "need to see the film or play" do and are indeed transformed.
On a related note, I feel strongly in agreement with those who say that a successful play or film asks questions of its audience---provokes thought more than offers answers. This statement may easily be used against a Michael Moore film. But, I submit it to this discussion nonetheless.
re: Is theatre as agitprop too risky in today's political climate?#6
Posted: 6/10/05 at 2:20pm
I believe agitprop still exists. Wasn't Newsical agitprop?
http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/newsical-rev.htm
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Is theatre as agitprop too risky in today's political climate?#7
Posted: 6/10/05 at 2:22pm
jrb - I should clarify that while I agree with CK's assessment of why this isn't being produced, I in no way am happy about it. I DO think it's sad. Perhaps it will be up to theatre groups that are not so obviously commercial ventures - yes, some DO exist - to get this play seen somewhere.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
re: Is theatre as agitprop too risky in today's political climate?#8
Posted: 6/10/05 at 2:36pm
But did you think it was good?
ANGELS IN AMERICA can very much be viewed as agitprop. But it's also brilliant and wildly theatrical and done all over the world as well as the country.
Was this particular piece of agitprop able to entertain in a truly theatrical way?
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Is theatre as agitprop too risky in today's political climate?#9
Posted: 6/10/05 at 2:50pm
Robbie - this is ONLY one opinion, but I would say 'no'. It had the unfortunate effect of a boring history lesson. There were stretches where literally a narrator would say something like, "on April 13, 2003, George Bush adressed the issue at a press conference at the White House." And then Bush (Keith Carradine) would come out and say one line taken from the transcript of that event. Then another narrator would follow with another short description, followed by the character in question giving one line of dialogue from that moment. Even though it was done rapid fire, it came across as a newsreel.There were moments of drama created in those 'behind closed doors' scenes, but they were interspersed with all the other stretches of 'history lesson'.
I actually fell asleep a couple of times in the second act.
re: Is theatre as agitprop too risky in today's political climate?#10
Posted: 6/10/05 at 2:51pm
Thanks DG -- maybe I'll get the chance to see it anyway -- for the hell of it.
By the way, check your phone messages! (I probably sound halfway drunk, but blame the Vicodin!)
re: Is theatre as agitprop too risky in today's political climate?#11
Posted: 6/11/05 at 12:31pmSounds like they were striving to be a GROSS INDECENCY or LARAMIE PROJECT. I love how Moises Kaufman and the Tectonic Theatre Group has created fascinating theatre in this way. But, I would gather it takes just the right touch to come off successfully.
Videos
