THE SPACE OF IDEAS, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL DIALOGUE. THEATRE ON ECOLOGICAL CRISIS.

Abstract

The chief aim of this article is to present the main developments in ecological thought and practice that have influenced British and American theatre in the past three decades. Although eco-criticism had attracted many keen followers and public environmental awareness had grown rapidly in recent years, theatre remained silent on green issues for a long time despite its political engagement in other areas. When at last theatre turned green, its voice is powerful and inspiring. Theatre uses its collective character to foster a feeling of shared responsibility and to create space that transforms into one of the major characters of the performance. Moreover, dystopian visions of the ecological catastrophe that brings famine and destruction presented on stage are thought-provoking and highly persuasive. Theatre interconnects artists and audiences and uses its capacity to raise environmental awareness and to bring about behaviour change. In this way, theatre is able to affect social and political change.