Lightning Legislative Theatre with Augusto Boal

By Michael Wrentschur, InterACT, Graz, Austria

…almost incredible what developed in just a few hours:

After a very lively report by Augusto Boal about his experiences with Legislative Theatre in Rio de Janeiro, after two or three warming-up exercises and a rhythm machine representing Graz, four images were made to the question: "What should change in Graz?" What current problems or conflicts cry out for a solution?

The themes were: the rejection of beggars in public space, racism against blacks in public transport, aggression towards children and the intransparency of cultural and financial policy towards smaller cultural initiatives.

The images were dynamised and finally developed into small Forum scenes. The interventions make the desire for change visible and understandable - after this process an intensive discussion within the different groups begins, which leads to the formulation of legal texts.

Finally each of the four groups presents a law proposal, which is put to the vote in the assembly.
To me it is impressive what comes about in a short span of time: based upon our own experiences we engage in scenic-theatrical representations and interventions and finally we discuss the starting points of change, common regulations and laws. I experience ourselves as very creative and at the same time very close to the heart of the matter. Also competent: what normally is the work of legal specialists becomes something of which we are able to do ourselves…

How did this come about?
As part of Augusto Boal's visit to Austria April 6-21, a series of events took place under the title "Theatre as dialogue, interaction and participation". Concluding this, an international meeting of experts was held April 9 at the University of Graz under the title "To transform desire into law - legislative theatre as a way of political participation and a dialogue between citizens and politicians." The participants were introduced to a completely new way of imparting legislative theatre, conceived by Augusto Boal together with the team of InterACT: Where legislative theatre usually covers months or even years, this time only 5 hours were available, in which both information had to be conveyed as well as practical-scenic impressions and experiences needed to arise. Because of the wonderful, determined and exciting way of joking by Augusto Boal this was very successful.

For all who were present, city council and regional parliament members, representatives of Children's, Juvenile and Civil Rights initiatives, as well as experts from the area of civil participation and urban development, really took part in the event, with their bodies and their minds, they developed scenes and played Forum theatre together and were visionary not only in proposing laws, but also considering the question of how legislative theatre could continue in Graz and the Steiermark province.

Legislative theatre could be employed as a new form of civil participation in the "Urban Development Project Graz West", which offers a way of articulation especially to groups who otherwise would hardly (be able to) speak out. Theatre should be taken to where it hasn't been yet. In hardened situation or conflicts in urban but also rural areas, Forum theatre would offer possibilities in the area of mediation. Interestingly, the idea that politicians and civil servants should respond to theatrical experiences was uttered by politicians. Politics should return to a form of art, which has to develop an empathy for conflicts and the desire for change. Even more so because politics can't hide from responsibility on the one had and has to supply a framework for change on the other. An exemplary pilot project was recommended, accompanied by scientific research. It should no be overlooked though, so was the desire of a city council member, that in spite of the evaluations the motor of this form of civil participation is the lust to play.

Follow-up
We will see how legislative theatre will continue in Graz, but one good omen already hangs over us: before the event started, Augusto Boal and InterACT were invited to the City Hall by the mayor of Graz, Alfred Stingl, who remembered Augusto from his Graz-visits in the 80's. The mayor emphasized not only how important he thought that interactive and participation stimulating forms of theatre were, but also was happy about the fact that some members of the city council joined in the "To Transform Desire into Law event.

Translation: Ronald Matthijssen, Formaat

Under Pressure 6, April 2001