Political Protest Evaluation

You need to write a 500 word evaluation on your protest. There are a few points below that might help with writing your evaluation.

-      Give a brief overview of what you did?

Q –Why did you select the protest? How did you gather information? Research/personal opinion? Did you have a passion?

Q-Was it successful? If so why?

Q-What elements of the protest were most effective?

Q-How did your audience react? Were you able to get any direct feedback? 

Q-What elements of the protest would you change if you were to do it again?

Some interesting art...

What do these pieces of art say to you? There might be some inspiration here for your protests...

Links to articles to help you understanding the play 'The Most Horrific'...

I hope you enjoyed reading the text, there are so many layers to it. The things that are written, the tales of horrific ordeals, are all rooted in true stories. Reading the research and doing some more of your own will help your understanding.

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/asylum-seeker-mothers-on-christmas-island-attempt-suicide-in-bid-to-help-children-20140708-3bl0j.html

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-says-government-will-not-give-in-to-moral-blackmail-over-asylum-seeker-suicide-attempts-20140709-3blh3.html

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article1961235.html

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/nov/08/us-legal-challenge-guantanamo-force-feeding

http://refugeewomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/WRWDetained.pdf

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27906730 

http://www.yarlswood.co.uk/

http://www.yarlswood.co.uk/first-days

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/10668168/Being-gay-in-Uganda-they-could-come-and-kill-me-at-any-time.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/u-s-debates-gay-marriage-uganda-considers-death-penalty-homosexuals-prison-families-article-1.433354

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/may/23/ugandan-lesbian-deported-uk-aidah-asaba

Tutor time activity: Should theatre be censored?

In September 'Exhibit B' opened in London.

Synopsis:

Described by Peter Brook as ‘an extraordinary achievement’, this haunting installation sets out to subvert a disturbing phenomenon, turning the notion of exotic spectacle on its head. 

Exhibit B critiques the ‘human zoos’ and ethnographic displays that showed Africans as objects of scientific curiosity through the 19th and early 20th centuries. Translated here into twelve tableaux, each features motionless performers placed in settings drawn from real life. Collectively they confront colonial atrocities committed in Africa, European notions of racial supremacy and the plight of immigrants today. 

As spectators walk past the exhibits one-by-one, to the sound of lamentations sung live by a Namibian choir, a human gaze is unexpectedly returned. 

Both unbearable and essential' ★★★★★ Guardian

Read a review here

'Still, reflective, non-histrionic. Modern parallels are drawn and contemporary questions raised. An important and provocative work' Evening Standard ★★★★★ 

Read full review here

This piece of work was cancelled after heated protest and upset amongst the public.

A spokesperson for the Barbican said: 

“Last night as Exhibit B was opening at the Vaults it became impossible for us to continue with the show because of the extreme nature of the protest and the serious threat to the safety of performers, audiences and staff. Given that protests are scheduled for future performances of Exhibit B we have had no choice but to cancel all performances of the piece. 

“We find it profoundly troubling that such methods have been used to silence artists and performers and that audiences have been denied the opportunity to see this important work. Exhibit B raises, in a serious and responsible manner, issues about racism; it has previously been shown in 12 cities, involved 150 performers and been seen by around 25,000 people with the responses from participants, audiences and critics alike being overwhelmingly positive. 

“The Barbican has done everything we can to ensure London performances can go ahead – including continued dialogue with protestors and senior Barbican staff meeting with the leaders of the campaign and attending a public meeting to discuss the issues raised by the work. We respect people's right to protest but are disappointed that this was not done in a peaceful way as had been previously promised by campaigners . 

“We believe this piece should be shown in London and are disturbed at the potential implications this silencing of artists and performers has for freedom of expression.” 

Theatre used to be censored, however it's not anymore and we live in a society where we promote freedom of speech and expression. We watch plays about racism, violence and sex. We have plays by Edward Bond and Sarah Kane; surely we have become an un-shockable nation?

Do you think that 'Exhibit B' should have been cancelled or not? What are you justifications for your thoughts? 

If you agree - do you think that plays with particularly 'offensive' topics should also not be shown?

DISCUSS - listen and respond to each other.


"‘To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker. It is just as criminal to rob a man of his right to speak and hear as it would be to rob him of his money.’" - Frederick Douglass 

Some further articles for reading:

Barbican criticises protesters who forced Exhibit B cancellation

Withdrawal of anti-slavery exhibition hailed as victory by campaigners, but Barbican says cancellation has implications for artistic freedom 

Is art installation Exhibit B racist?

Following accusations of exploitation and racism, the Barbican decided to close down the live art installation Exhibit B. Were the protests justified?

Protests

Read this article today.

Could be a useful stimulus for a protest group...

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/julien-blanc-is-a-racist-sexual-predator-teaching-men-to-prey-on-women-like-me--he-must-be-stopped-9843939.html

HOMEWORK TASK: Is Brecht still relevant today?

Watch this video and write a personal response to:

 Is Brecht still relevant today?

Consider:

• Should we still study him?
• Is Epic Theatre out of date?
• Do audiences want to watch this style of theatre?

A video interview with Dr Laura Bradley exploring the context in which Brecht was writing, the significance of his work for a contemporary audience and techniques such as Epic Theatre and alienation.

READ and RESPOND... Dennis Kelly on Political Theatre

You will be using this article in week 2. 

Dennis Kelly said...

"...political theatre is a complete fucking waste of time."

Is he right?

Click Here to read full article

Q - Write a response to this article. What is your opinion? 

Post our response onto your blog.

READ and RESPOND...Kate Tempest on Political Theatre

In the first workshop you discussed the article that interviewed Kate Tempest.

She said...

‘We live in crazy times. You can’t tell a story without it feeling political’

Click Here for the article

Review the article again and respond to this quote specifically. Do you agree?

Post your response on your blog.

What is Political Theatre?

Here is a definition of Political Theatre from the internet:

1. "Political theatre" is a term that has been used to refer to three different things: theatre that comments on political issues, political action or protest that has a theatrical quality to it, and any action by politicians that is intended to make a point rather than accomplish something substantive.

Task:

Write your own definition of Political Theatre and post it on your blog.