The book explores the relationship between public theatre and the enslaved people of Saint-Domingue, challenging the notion that there is a lack of documentation. It uses a range of materials and methodologies to explore pressing questions such as the mitigated spectatorship of the enslaved, portrayals of enslaved people in French and Creole repertoire, the contributions of enslaved people to theatre-making, and shifting attitudes during the revolutionary era. It demonstrates that slavery was an integral part of the theatre history and helps recover the hidden experiences of some of the enslaved individuals who became entangled in that story.

Format: Hardback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

The French colony of Saint-Domingue, now known as Haiti, was a hub of vibrant public theatre traditions during the colonial era in the Caribbean. This book delves into the intricate relationship between public theatre and the enslaved people of Saint-Domingue, a topic often overlooked due to a perceived lack of documentation. Through a diverse range of materials and methodologies, the book explores critical questions such as the "mitigated spectatorship of the enslaved," portrayals of enslaved people in French and Creole repertoire, the contributions of enslaved individuals to theatre-making, and shifting attitudes during the revolutionary era. The book demonstrates that slavery was not merely a backdrop to this chapter of theatre history but an essential part of its narrative. It also contributes to the recovery of the hidden experiences of enslaved individuals who became entangled in that story.

The French Colony of Saint-Domingue: A Hub of Public Theatre Traditions

The French colony of Saint-Domingue, now known as Haiti, was a vibrant center of public theatre traditions during the colonial era in the Caribbean. This book explores the relationship between public theatre and the enslaved people of Saint-Domingue, a topic often overlooked due to a perceived lack of documentation. Through a diverse range of materials and methodologies, the book explores critical questions such as the "mitigated spectatorship of the enslaved," portrayals of enslaved people in French and Creole repertoire, the contributions of enslaved individuals to theatre-making, and shifting attitudes during the revolutionary era. The book demonstrates that slavery was not merely a backdrop to this chapter of theatre history but an essential part of its narrative. It also contributes to the recovery of the hidden experiences of enslaved individuals who became entangled in that story.

The Enslaved People of Saint-Domingue: A Complex Relationship with Public Theatre

The enslaved people of Saint-Domingue were a complex and diverse group, with a range of backgrounds, experiences, and skills. They were brought to the colony as slaves, and their lives were governed by a system of slavery that was brutal and oppressive. Despite these challenges, the enslaved people of Saint-Domingue found ways to express themselves and engage with the world around them. Public theatre was one of the most significant ways in which they did this.

Public theatre in Saint-Domingue was a diverse and vibrant form of entertainment that included a wide range of performances, from plays and musicals to dance and acrobatics. It was often performed in public spaces, such as marketplaces, squares, and churches, and was accessible to a wide range of people, including enslaved people, free people of color, and Europeans. The performances were often designed to entertain and educate, and they often included themes that were relevant to the enslaved people's experiences, such as resistance, rebellion, and freedom.

The relationship between public theatre and the enslaved people of Saint-Domingue was complex and multifaceted. On the one hand, public theatre provided a means for the enslaved people to express themselves and engage with the world around them. It allowed them to tell their stories and share their experiences with a wider audience, and it helped to challenge the power of the slaveholders and the system of slavery. On the other hand, public theatre was also a tool of oppression and control, as it was often used to reinforce the slaveholders' power and to control the behavior of the enslaved people.

The book explores the various ways in which public theatre was used to control and manipulate the enslaved people of Saint-Domingue. It looks at the ways in which performances were designed to reinforce the slaveholders' power and to control the behavior of the enslaved people, and it also examines the ways in which the enslaved people responded to these performances. The book also explores the ways in which public theatre was used to promote social change and to challenge the system of slavery.

One of the key themes of the book is the "mitigated spectatorship of the enslaved." This refers to the way in which the enslaved people of Saint-Domingue were able to engage with public theatre in a way that was different from the way that free people of color and Europeans engaged with it. The enslaved people were often excluded from the upper levels of public theatre, and they were often treated as second-class citizens. However, they were still able to find ways to engage with the performances and to gain a sense of belonging and identity.

The book also explores the portrayals of enslaved people in French and Creole repertoire. It looks at the ways in which enslaved people were represented in plays and musicals, and it examines the ways in which these representations shaped the way that the enslaved people were perceived by the wider society. The book also explores the ways in which enslaved people contributed to theatre-making, and it looks at the ways in which their contributions were recognized and celebrated.

The book also explores the shifting attitudes during the revolutionary era. It looks at the ways in which the enslaved people of Saint-Domingue responded to the events of the revolution, and it examines the ways in which their experiences shaped the way that the revolution was understood and interpreted. The book also explores the ways in which the revolution contributed to the development of public theatre in Saint-Domingue.

The book demonstrates that slavery was not merely a backdrop to this chapter of theatre history but an essential part of its narrative. It also contributes to the recovery of the hidden experiences of enslaved individuals who became entangled in that story. The book has received critical acclaim, and it has been awarded the The Literary Encyclopedia book prize 2024, category 'Literatures written in languages other than English.'

Weight: 514g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031226908
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023