Group Devised Theatre: a Theoretical and Practical Examination of Devising Processes

Group devised theatre has become an increasingly popular theatrical form since the pioneering collaborative creations of the late 1960s. More recently, devising has come under the scrutiny of theatre scholars as they seek to contextualise devising within the wider landscape of twentieth-century experimental theatre. Another body of "devising literature", devising manuals, outline methodologies for creating an original theatrical work. Drawing on both these approaches to the theoretical discussion of devising, this book charts the experience of a first-time devising group throughout the development of their production, "This Is Not An Exit". Devising practices are positioned in relation to historical avant-garde performance innovations to develop a "literature of practice" for the novice deviser. Then, in a first-hand account, the journey of devising theatre with a group for the first time is thoroughly explored from the group's inception through to public performance. Analysing the practical realities of devising against theoretical "how-to" manuals, this book will be of especial interest to students and first-time devisers.