Theatre and community: Case studies of four Colway-style plays performed in Canada

Focusing on the four Colway-style community Plays produced between 1990--1995, this study documents the use of the Colway model in Canada and contributes to the analytical discussion of community-oriented forms of popular theatre by examining the practical problems and ideological issues raised by the Colway experience within specifically Canadian contexts. The sum of the individual case studies is used to evaluate the form's efficacy in term of social, cultural, and political affirmation and intervention, while each of the case histories is focused on one particular area in this regard and includes an examination of the technical means selected (or not selected) to achieve project goals.;Material has been arranged in two parts. Following an introductory history of the Colway Theatre Trust, the first chapter establishes the social and theatrical traditions upon which the Colway style draws, and in terms of which its innovations, successes, and failures can be examined. The second chapter discusses the main aspects of the Colway form, and together this material comprises Part 1. Part II consists of a brief introduction to community play practice in Canada, followed by the individual case studies. The study ends with a brief chapter of conclusions.