David Peimer (USA/CZ)
Post Revolution South African and Czech Theatre: Creative Comparisons.
As a phenomenon of history, the entire “Negotiated Revolution” in South Africa (1990 – 1994), makes the South African experience unique in both the African and global contexts. As this phenomenon unfolds, many fascinating new artistic influences are being explored to capture the diverse cultural depths and questions of identity unleashed by the demise of apartheid. This paper presents key trends in both subject matter and aesthetics prevalent in South African theatre at this crucial moment in history. (A very brief theatrical and political background will be given to help contextualize these trends).
The “Velvet Revolution” in the Czech Republic also gave rise to a various theatrical trends, some of which are similar to those in the current South Africa, and some of which are not. This paper will explore Creative Comparisons between the two countries’ theatrical experiences.
Disillusioned with the betrayal of the ideals of the French Revolution, Georg Buchner wrote: “The individual is merely the foam on the wave of history”. In contrast, Nelson Mandela, in his inauguration address as the first black president of South Africa in 1994 said: “Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate; our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure”.
Ultimately, the current theatre in both countries goes to the root of this all too human dramatic conflict of ideas.