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Blog Category: Brasil Blog
In July 2009 our Artistic Director Tim Wheeler, actor and musician Jez Colborne and Matt Hargrave from University of Northumbria traveled to Brazil to be part of the International Theatre of the Oppressed Conference. Find out all what they got up to and why it’s with an 's' not a 'z'!
11/05/2009
Augusto Boal
I'm Anna-Marie Heslop from the Acting Company, I have worked with Augusto Boal and wanted to share my memories about him. Augusto Boal was a Brazilian Director who gave inspiration to the world of theatre and Forum. He has given his voice of reason to the art of democracy and to people with disabilities to be included within the Arts. His memory will live on in our hearts and the people all over the world who will never forget him.
Write first comment20/07/2009
Boys in Brazil: Brasil blog 1
They spell Brazil, Brasil in Brasil. It’s not a spelling mistake. My computer always wants to correct words with like ‘organise’ and ‘realise’ replacing the ‘s’ with a ‘z’. This is the North American way of spelling things. Maybe that’s why Brasil is spelt Brazil in the US and in the UK. Maybe it’s because the US wants us to spell it their way. I do like the sound of ‘z’ it makes a word hum and vibrate. Brasil is a vibrant place.
Write first comment21/07/2009
Brasil Blog 2: Saudade
There is a word in Brasil which is ‘saudade’ which has no direct translation into English. It means nostalgia for things that haven’t yet happened. How cool is that?! The official conference opening happened last night. We all sang the song that has been specially composed to commemorate Boal, his life and his influence. It was great to be a part of an international chorus. Jez was on the front row, Tim on the second and Matt on the back.
Read (1) comments23/07/2009
Brasil Blog 3: Do actions speak louder than words?
It was a full day of speakers yesterday. We heard from Augusto’s son Julian Boal who spoke about his hopes for the future of Theatre of the Oppressed (TO). There has been talk about the idea of creating a license to practice TO. Julian said he didn’t think it was wise or possible to do this. The issue is very important. The whole idea behind TO is to make theatre accessible for people who were not professionals. Other forms of practice have to be accredited so why not TO? Many people say they are using TO but how do we know that they are using the techniques properly? Does it matter?
Write first comment05/08/2009
Brasil Blog 4: Breaking the Mould
On the shores of another sea, another potter, in his twilight years, retires. His eyes are cloudy, his hands tremble—the time has come to say goodbye. And then the ceremony of initiation takes place: the old potter offers the young potter his finest piece. That is the tradition of the native peoples of the American Northwest: the artist who is leaving the craft presents his masterwork to the artist who is setting out.
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