Participatory theatre is a form of
theatre
Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The perform ...
in which the
audience
An audience is a group of people who participate in a show or encounter a work of art, literature (in which they are called "readers"), theatre, music (in which they are called "listeners"), video games (in which they are called "players"), or ...
interacts with the performers or the presenters. Participatory theatre is often used with
very young audiences, allowing babies and toddlers to join in with the action.
Despite a long history and traditions of
audience participation
An audience is a group of people who participate in a show or encounter a work of art, literature (in which they are called "readers"), theatre, music (in which they are called "listeners"), video games (in which they are called "players"), or ...
within genres such as
music hall
Music hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment that was popular from the early Victorian era, beginning around 1850. It faded away after 1918 as the halls rebranded their entertainment as variety. Perceptions of a distinction in Bri ...
and
pantomime
Pantomime (; informally panto) is a type of musical comedy stage production designed for family entertainment. It was developed in England and is performed throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland and (to a lesser extent) in other English-speaking ...
, fully participatory theatre is still sometimes viewed as
avant-garde
The avant-garde (; In 'advance guard' or ' vanguard', literally 'fore-guard') is a person or work that is experimental, radical, or unorthodox with respect to art, culture, or society.John Picchione, The New Avant-garde in Italy: Theoretical ...
. In a typical participatory production, performers may socialise with audience members before the show while seating them, then surprise these spectators by inviting them to the stage. Audience members may be given dialogue to read (as written text, or via an earpiece in some cases). They may be invited to participate in an activity or game. Classroom and lecture exercises often include participatory elements, though are not usually considered theatre.
Companies producing participatory work include National Theatre Wales,
[Lyn Gardne]
"Theatre needs to show more community spirit"
''The Guardian'', 17 May 2011. Spare Tyre Theatre Company and The Republic of The Imagination (TROTI), Wales.
See also
*
Interactive theatre
Interactive theatre is a presentational or theatrical form or work that breaks the "fourth wall" that traditionally separates the performer from the audience both physically and verbally.
In traditional theatre, performance is limited to a design ...
*
Public participation
Public participation, also known as citizen participation or patient and public involvement, is the inclusion of the public in the activities of any organization or project. Public participation is similar to but more inclusive than stakeholder en ...
References
*Gerald Bordman, Thomas S. Hischak (eds).: ''The Oxford Companion to American Theatre'', 3rd edn., Oxford University Press 2004,
*
Theatrical genres
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