Theatre Symposium, Vol. 9: Theatre and Politics in the Twentieth Century (Theatre Symposium Series)

**This collection of essays explores how drama can teach political principles and entertain at the same time.** Political commentary is possible through "variety" theatre, this volume contends. Compiled from the April 2000 Theatre Symposium held on the campus of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, this collection of essays presents a compelling mix of theoretical and practical viewpoints from a broad diversity of scholars from around the country. What remains to be learned about the political objectives of Brecht's __Lehrstriucke?__ What political power is resident in the satirical humor of Dario Fo's drama? What can we learn from Mordecai Gorelik's political/artistic philosophy that might inform contemporary practice? What was the impact of political theatre on Broadway between the wars? Is Thornton Wilder's __Our Town__ the play we've always imagined it to be, or does it challenge the politics of its time? What is the role of theatre activism in raising consciousness about gender politics? These are only some of the questions addressed by this lively, informative discussion. Political commentary is possible through "variety" theatre, this volume contends. Compiled from the April 2000 Theatre Symposium held on the campus of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, this collection of essays presents a mix of theoretical and practical point from various scholars around the country. What remains to be learned about the political objectives of Brecht's "Lehrstriuke"? What can we learn from Mordecai Gorelik's political/artistic philosophy that might inform contemporary practice? Is Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" the play we've always imagined it to be, or does it challenge the politics of its time? These are only some of the questions addressed by this informative discussion. Introduction..............5 Theatre Activism and Satirical Gender Play in the 1980s Carol Burbank..............7 John Howard Lawsons The International Jonathan Chambers..............18 The Changing Character of the Collective in Lehrstücke by Brecht and Müller Steve Earnest..............30 National Theatre as Public Utility in the Federal Theatre Project Kurt Eisen..............38 Politics and Literature in the Theatre of Dario Fo James Fisher..............45 The Theory and Practice of Mordecai Gorelik Anne Fletcher..............58