Dialectical Collaborative Theatre: practising equality by facilitating non-material ideology in the production process

Jo Ronan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)39-54
Number of pages16
JournalPerforming Ethos: International Journal of Ethics in Theatre & Performance
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2021

Keywords

  • ethics
  • ideology
  • utility
  • collaborative theatre
  • ethical ownership
  • dialectical collaborative theatre

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dialectical Collaborative Theatre: practising equality by facilitating non-material ideology in the production process'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this