Language and interpretation in Playback Theatre in a multilingual society: Drama for Life Playback Theatre Company, Wits University, Johannesburg, South Africa
Date
2011-10-10
Authors
Zanjam, Ngefor Shella
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Abstract
In this study, I explore the language of Playback Theatre and its application in a
multi-lingual society through the experience of the Playback performers. I consider
the performances and experience of the Drama for Life Playback Theatre Company at
Wits University, Johannesburg, as application for the study. Literature on
performance and ritual theory gave a framework for analysis while writings on
language and the experience of community are included to illuminate the analysis of
Playback Theatre performance in a multi-lingual society. The research report, based
on principles of Action Research, has been undertaken using an ethnographic
approach that draws on participant observation, informal individual interviews,
researcher reflexivity and focus group discussion.
The Drama for Life Playback Theatre Company is described and analysed giving the
history and information on their practice. This leads to an analysis and a transcription
of Playback Theatre performance. From this stage, the research report identifies and
analyses elements of verbal and non-verbal language implicit in a Playback Theatre
performance. Exploring the implication of this interactive form of theatre in a multilingual
society shows that Playback Theatre can be applied for any context and in any
setting as the experience of the performance relies on the non-verbal enactment of the
stories by the actors.
In the concluding section, the report reflects on the complex nature of writing up a
report from a participant observer view when one does not hold a full position as a
member of the group or community. The report has shown that the ritual frame of
Playback Theatre allows for the actors to be able to hold and enact any story from
audience members. The Playback actor remains the centre of action in the experience
of Playback Theatre performance. This research has looked at language from the point
of the actor which therefore means that there needs to be further research on the
experience of the audience members in terms of knowing how effective Playback
Theatre can be when experienced in multi-lingual societies.