Theatre and Politics

Theatre is the best medium to communicate difficult issues on a mass level. We could use it to shape the political issues of society. The politically active artists can present stories which could help their audience to formulate opinions. Theatre can raise questions and challenge public logic against political events. This quality of theatre is now being used by politicians and they use theatrical presentation. The counter-narrative of the masses is rather unseen from the scene.

There is a long history of theatre being used for opinion making. Over time, protagonists evolved from monarchs to common man’s perspective: the playwrights started writing about life of people and general-life challenges. Then, they tried to incorporate political issues, which a common man faces and his views about the political scenario.

America, Russia, India and other nations have been using film, television, and theatre for propaganda against rival political parties and nations as well as for the betterment of their own nations. They incorporate many theories as suggested by writers and other artists. But theatre under the influence of an elitist regime has been rather neglected in our society. It was done through a planned process and now, talk shows and press conferences have taken over the theatre-industry.  

These days politicians act more like professional actors, than professional actors. There is a very interesting similarity between theatre and politics. It shares the same elements as we see the six elements of drama prescribed by the Greek philosopher Aristotle in his famous book, POETICS. He suggested plot, character, thought, diction, music, and spectacle are some main ingredients for a successful play.

A politician first sets a plot and thus controls the narrative. Leads campaigns to win the hearts of his people. Rallies and riots are his play, He sells an idea for the betterment of the people. Politicians are good at acting. 

He motivates his voters through speeches and convinces them to vote for him and ensures a better future, but he enforces them with full confidence and enthusiasm. He makes them believe that he is the ultimate savior. His choice of words and slogans should be appropriate and appealing. Political parties tend to use anthems to attract and inspire.

The last element is the spectacle which to quite a few extent is the whole play. They build huge stages and put on a power-show which usually is judged by the massiveness of their audience. The only dissimilarity in theatre is that the audience buys tickets to watch the show (a one-time transaction), whereas, crowd at political gatherings pay slowly over time in consequences.

Theatre in our country will never flourish until freedom of expression is exercised. The space and facilities are equally important but for the case of our theatre; a more important aspect is to facilitate the artist and to pave the way for a friendly environment for any art to sustain.