Ideas, forms and development in the British workers' theatre, 1925-1935
This thesis traces the development of British workers' theatre in the period 1925 - 1935, focussing on the institution which eventually constituted itself as the Workers' Theatre Movement, and relating the particular character of this organisation to the nature of British theatre as a whole. Whereas previous studies have ascribed the weakness of this movement, to its political immaturity, or to its failure to make use of highly developed literary forms, the failings of the Workers' Theatre Movement are here related to the division within British theatre between ~legitimate~ and ~variety~ forms. The leaders of the Workers' Theatre Movement rejected the styles and subjects of the contemporary West End stage, but found themselves in a problematic relationship to popular theatre or variety forms, which they could not associate with the serious messages which they were trying to deliver. For this reason they looked to the workers' theatres of other countries for a formula by which they could make political theatre, but failed to take advantage of truly popular forms which would be more accessible to British workers. In addition, the Workers' Theatre Movement received little support, whether material or ideological,
Saville, Ian
HD28 Management. Industrial Management
Ideas, forms and development in the British workers' theatre, 1925-1935. This thesis traces the development of British workers' theatre in the period 1925 - 1935, focussing on the institution which eventually constituted itself as the Workers' Theatre Movement, and relating the particular character of this organisation to the nature of British theatre as a whole. Whereas previous studies have ascribed the weakness of this movement, to its political immaturity, or to its failure to make use of highly developed literary forms, the failings of the Workers' Theatre Movement are here related to the division within British theatre between ~legitimate~ and ~variety~ forms. The leaders of the Workers' Theatre Movement rejected the styles and subjects of the contemporary West End stage, but found themselves in a problematic relationship to popular theatre or variety forms, which they could not associate with the serious messages which they were trying to deliver. For this reason they looked to the workers' theatres of other countries for a formula by which they could make political theatre, but failed to take advantage of truly popular forms which would be more accessible to British workers. In addition, the Workers' Theatre Movement received little support, whether material or ideological,
ideas form development british worker theatre trace_development british worker theatre period focus institution eventually constitute workers theatre movement relate particular character organisation nature british theatre whole whereas_previous study ascribe weakness movement political failure make_use highly develop literary form failing workers theatre movement related division_within british theatre legitimate variety form leader workers theatre movement reject style subject contemporary west end stage find problematic relationship popular theatre variety form could associate serious message try deliver reason look worker theatre country formula could_make political theatre fail_take advantage truly popular form would accessible british worker addition workers theatre movement receive_little support whether material ideological