What Is Forum Theatre?

AUGUSTO BOAL'S 'FORUM THEATRE' 

Forum Theatre was developed by Augusto Boal in Latin America as a means of tackling social issues. Working with groups of peasants and workers in literacy campaigns, Boal took inspiration from Paulo Freire's theories to create a form in which 'the oppressed become the artists' (Theatre of the Oppressed).

Forum theatre commences in showing a play or scene which shows some kind of oppression twice. During the second time, any member of the audience, branded by Boal as the 'spect-actor' is allowed to shout 'Stop!', step forward and take the place of one of the oppressed characters, showing how they could change the situations to enable a solution for the issue. Different solutions might be attempted by various spect-actors. The other actors have to remain in character, improvising their responses. Furthermore, a facilitator (joker) is necessary to enable communication between the players and the audiences. 

What is great about forum theatre is that it breaks down the fourth wall and barrier between performers and audiences and puts them on an equal footing. It enables participants to experiment action that might occur in their everyday lives. Boal used this as a political tool for change in Brazil, and this technique has soared across the world since. 

AN EXAMPLE OF FORUM THEATRE:

WORKING TITLES: FORUM THEATRE IN ACTION:

CARDBOARD CITIZENS' USE FORUM THEATRE IN HOMELESS HOSTELS:

For the last twenty five years, Cardboard Citizen's, which works around tackling the issue of homelessness has been running 'The Forum Theatre Tour' which has offered the opportunity for excluded audiences to access theatre. Their shows are performed by actors who have experienced homelessness and the shows work to inform the themes of homelessness, family relationships, employment and health which affect people who are marginalised. The Forum Theatre Tour attracts many new members, supporters and creates relationships through; working in prisons, enabling excluded people to develop their skills and confidence through workshops; supporting participants' practical and financial needs and including actors who have experienced homelessness. Overall, Cardboard Citizens is one of the UK's leading practitioners of forum theatre.