Decolonising African Theatre

Decolonization can be pursued in various ways, and Afroscenology is a theory used to read and comment on African theatre. It focuses on the history of laboratories, the historicization of romantic theatre, and the crafting of a theory of the playtext. The performatic technique is also explained through examples drawn from workshops conducted in training.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 82 pages
Publication date: 11 April 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Decolonization is a multifaceted endeavor that can be approached in various ways. After years of cultivating a critical language to engage with coloniality, the most pressing requirement in African theatre is to cultivate new theories and methodologies in our practices. This Element employs Afroscenology as a theoretical framework to interpret and analyze African theatre. Specifically, it delves into the history of laboratories where these theories were tested and developed, the historicization of romantic theatre, and the creation of a distinct theory of the playtext, known as theatric theory, which distinguishes it from Aristotelian dramatic theory.

The second dimension of this theory revolves around the performatic technique. The Element also provides an explanation of Afrosonic mime through examples drawn from the workshops conducted in training performers. By employing Afroscenology as a lens, African theatre can be better understood and appreciated, allowing for a more comprehensive and nuanced appreciation of its rich cultural heritage.

ISBN-13: 9781009271479