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Theatres Against Colonialism

Module description

In this module you will comprehensively explore key case studies of anti-colonial theatre, engage with post-colonial theory to evaluate the subversive potential of theatre in relation to colonial narratives from the past, and discuss contemporary issues surrounding the decolonisation of theatre curricula You will consider a range of concepts within post-colonial and decolonial theory and unpack how colonial legacies continue to shape theatrical landscapes today.

Through an examination of play texts as well as embodied performance practices, you will develop your understanding and appreciation of anti-colonial works from diverse global contexts and contextualise them within their socio-political frameworks.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The fundamental aim of the module will be to generate original critical thinking that may contribute to the ongoing discourse and praxis of decolonisation of theatre curricula, towards greater inclusivity, equity, and social justice in the field and more broadly.

Through staff-led seminar discussions, individual research, and creative assignments the module offers you the opportunity to:

1. consider the cultural and political significance of anti-colonial theatre as both a work of art and a tool for social justice, and its efficacy in challenging prevailing colonial narratives and fostering a decolonial consciousness.
2. analyse the themes and techniques in a range of anti-colonial texts, with a focus on understanding the strategies employed by playwrights and performers to challenge colonial hegemony.
3. explore the diverse range of voices, perspectives, and critical writings that emerge from colonial and post-colonial contexts, challenging Eurocentric representations.
4. analyse a selection of plays and performance events by applying post-colonial frameworks of power, race, nationalism, identity, resistance, cultural hybridity in theatre, considering how these themes are expressed and negotiated on stage.
5. cultivate a deeper understanding of the intersections between colonialism, theatre, politics, activism, and social justice movements in the context of performance.
6. apply decolonial frameworks and methodologies to analyse and deconstruct colonialist narratives, institutions, and practices in a variety of performance contexts.
7. participate in collaborative reflective discussions to unpack personal biases and assumptions in relation to anti-colonial themes and develop an understanding of ethical responsibilities within systems of theatrical representation, with the view to conceptualising potential critical strategies within contemporary social and performance contexts.
8. engage in group work to generate original creative interventions, critical ideas and questions that may contribute to the ongoing discourse and praxis of decolonisation and consider how these may be applied in other contexts and for future employability.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Identify and explain key strategies in anti-colonial, post-colonial and decolonial performance.
• 2. Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts within anti-colonial, post-colonial and decolonial theoretical framework.
• 3. Evaluate a variety of contemporary performance texts and practices from a decolonial perspective

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Engage effectively with a range of dramatic texts, performances, and critical writings from diverse cultural and geographic contexts.
• 5. Demonstrate the ability to effectively employ theoretical perspectives to analyse complex material, synthesise and communicate findings effectively in assigned written or practical tasks.
• 6. Apply a range of library and IT skills in detailed independent research

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Demonstrate advanced analytical and research skills using personal initiative.
• 8. Demonstrate group cooperation skills including the ability to give and receive constructive critical feedback
• 9. Demonstrate advanced communication skills through written analysis, discussions, and public presentation.
• 10. Demonstrate an advanced cultural competence, understanding of issues related to inclusivity and diversity, and enhanced intercultural communication.

Syllabus plan

Whilst content specifics may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that the module will cover some or all of the following:

• Introduction to relevant colonial and anti-colonial histories and performances
• Reading and analysis of select dramatic and performance texts from anti-colonial contexts.
• Perspectives on performance from anti-colonial theatre makers.
• Key concepts from post-colonial theory, race, and nationalism in the context of performance.
• Orientalism, interculturalism, hybridity and their impact on shaping the contemporary theatrical landscape.
• Performance analysis and discussion of audio-visual material through a post-colonial lens.
• Contemporary decolonial discourse and interrogating the canon from a decolonial perspective.
• Ethics in performance making, representation and cultural appropriation.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a reassessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Balme, C. (1999) Decolonizing the Stage: Theatrical Syncretism and Post-Colonial Drama. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Craggs, R. and Wintle, C. (eds.) (2016) Cultures of Decolonisation: Transnational Productions and Practices, 1945–70. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
• Crow, B. and Banfield, C. (1996) An Introduction to Post-Colonial Theatre. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Fanon, F. (2008) Black Skin White Masks. London: Pluto Press.
• Gainor, J. E. (1995) Imperialism and Theatre: Essays on World Theatre, Drama, and Performance. London: Routledge.
• Gopal, P. (2021) 'On Decolonisation and the University', Textual Practice, 35(6), pp. 873-899. DOI: 10.1080/0950236X.2021.1929561.
• Poore, B. (2016) Theatre & Empire. London: Red Globe Press.
• Ruiz, S. (2019) Ricanness: Enduring Time in Anticolonial Performance. New York: NYU Press.
• Said, E. (1978) Orientalism. New York: Pantheon.
• Thompson, S. (2008) 'Indigenous Theory: James Connolly and the Theatre of Decolonization', Interventions, 10(1), pp. 7–25.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE
• Exeter digital archives
• Digital Theatre Plus
• Bala, S. (2017) 'Decolonising Theatre and Performance Studies: Tales from the Classroom', Tijdschrift voor Genderstudies, 20(3), pp. 333–345. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5117/TVGN2017.3.BALA.
• Bharucha, R. (1993) Theatre and the World: Performance and the Politics of Culture. London: Routledge. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203168172.
• Bhatia, N. (2010) Acts of Authority/Acts of Resistance: Theater and Politics in Colonial and Postcolonial India. 1st edn. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.17085.
• Fischer-Lichte, E. et al. (2022) Entangled Performance Histories: New Approaches to Theater Historiography. 1st edn. London: Taylor & Francis. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003353461.

Key words search

Decolonial theatre, Postcolonialism, anti-colonial theatre, colonialism