Earth matters' in solo performances: an ecocritical study of Stephen Emmott’s Ten Billion and Chris Rapely’s and Duncan MacMillan’s 2071

Abstract EN

The aim of this study is to examine the potential of theatrical practices, namely solo performances, as an effective tool that could positively address climate change crisis and reform human behavior in relation to the environment.

Environment-related scientific data showcase that there is an impending danger that will engulf the whole world if radical proactive action is not taken as regards to humans' action towards the environment which results in pollution, climatic change, and the appalling increase in the rate of carbon dioxide inhaled by man that causes several carcinogenic diseases.

This study will analyze two solo performances that are co-written by a scientist and a playwright, namely Stephen Emmott's Ten Billion (2013) and Chris Rapely's and Duncan MacMillan's 2071 (2014).

The researcher will employ the theories of ecocriticism at large and climate change criticism in particular to provide a theoretical framework for the two plays under study and answer the following questions: Are environmental issues and social change intertwined? Can a theatrical work of art play an effective role in solving environment-related issues, such as climate change and global warming?