Art is permanent revolution, an excerpt from a thesis entitled : identity and globalization in selected works by Caryl Churchill

Abstract EN

This study analyzes selected works by Caryl Churchill- one of Britain’s most acknowledged playwrights- from an eclectic post-dramatic perspective.

The title of the thesis Identity & Globalization in Selected Works by Caryl Churchill calls for an updated view of “theatre” and examining the ongoing dilemma of drama versus theatre in the light of the new technological advancement and the new techniques used in theatre.

Identity, in that context, refers to a new “identity” or a “redefinition” of theatre as well as “perception”.

After which comes a thorough examination of various plays by Caryl Churhcill which were both poorly reviewed and therefore need to be re-examined in light of the current approach suggested by Hans-Thies Lehmann – author of "Postdramatic Theatre"- translated from German in 2007, which has given a new insight to the question of drama versus theatre and the aesthetics of contemporary theatre.

Churchill’s plays have moved gradually from the text-based, plotbased dramatic form to the post-dramatic form that basically examines a theme and makes extensive use of rhythm, dance and movement and a much free-form of rhythmic text that is more “transparent” inhaling features of pantomime and music, different from the conventional “dramatic” intensive form.

In this thesis, the division of chapters will depict Churchill’s reviewed plays from the dramatic shifting towards the post-dramatic.

Chapter One is an introductory chapter examining the dilemma of theatre versus drama Chapter two will tackle the perception of art and the important features of post-dramatic perspective developed by Hans-Thies Lehmann.

Chapter three will examine Churchill’s plays which still retained some of their dramatic essence; plot; A Number, Far Away, Drunk Enough Chapter four will tackle the more experimental plays such as Blue Heart; This is a Chair and finally Hotel .

The Concluding chapter will connect the three chapters together.

Moreover, it will explain how the proposed perspective has offered a true interpretation of Churchill’s works and defined their relationship with the outside world as opposed to the extreme views exemplified in the literature review.