Abstract
This article discusses the relationship between ethics and ideology and how this relationship forms the basis of the practice of BloodWater Theatre, a collective I formed to explore equality in collaborative theatre-making. I highlight the prevalence of inequality, even in oppositional theatre, and argue for Dialectical Collaborative Theatre (DCT), a research/production/performance methodology I developed to interrupt hegemonic collaborative theatre practice. I discuss the development of DCT, derived from Marx’s theory of ‘capital’ and ‘cooperation’, analysing BloodWater Theatre’s practical exploration of the tensions between performance as product and as process. I propose a rethinking of the enduring association of ‘utility’ with capitalist objectives of productivity and profit, proposing instead Bentham’s ethical formulations of utility. I argue that the relationship between material and non-material ideology should be explored, to facilitate utopian ideals and reposition ethics in collaborative theatre practice today.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 39-54 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Performing Ethos: International Journal of Ethics in Theatre & Performance |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2021 |
Keywords
- ethics
- ideology
- utility
- collaborative theatre
- ethical ownership
- dialectical collaborative theatre