1st Edition

The Performance Arts in Africa A Reader

By Frances Harding Copyright 2002
    384 Pages
    by Routledge

    380 Pages
    by Routledge

    The Performance Arts in Africa is the first anthology of key writings on African performance from many parts of the continent.
    As well as play texts, off the cuff comedy routines and masquerades, this exciting collection encompasses community-based drama, tourist presentations, television soap operas, puppet theatre, dance, song, and ceremonial ritualised performances. Themes discussed are:
    * theory
    * performers and performing
    * voice, language and words
    * spectators, space and time.
    The book also includes an introduction which examines some of the crucial debates, past and present, surrounding African performance.
    The Performance Arts of Africa is an essential introduction for those new to the field and is an invaluable reference source for those already familiar with African performance.

    Contents Title Introduction Section 1: i. Performance and Performing ii. Performers iii. Spectating iv. Some literature about performances in Africa Section 2: i. Debating the performance arts in Africa ii. Disguise and transformation(s) iii. The Global Context: more practices, more debates iv. Radical Moves: decentralised and empowering v. Performance and creativity Bibliography.

    Biography

    Frances Harding is Lecturer in African Drama at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London. She has taught n many different countries in Africa and is the author of a range of article on African theatre.