Popular, musical, and political: new approaches to understanding and Historicizing theatre in Brazil and United Kingdom

Abstract

Despite occupying distant geographical positions, Brazil and Britain share similarities in how theatre and performance have been historically categorised. The cultural and academic attention that has privileged Shakespeare and traditional theatre genres has risked overlooking and undervaluing genres such as street theatre, musical theatre, fringe and alternative theatre. Meanwhile, dominant theatre categories in Brazil, established largely under European influence,have traditionally overshadowed performance practices and influences that importantly intersect with diasporic postcolonial legacies, including indigenous practices, circus, music theatre, and burlettas. The aim of the proposed cross-Atlantic research project is to identify common gaps, share historiographical methods, and expand current knowledge of previously marginalised performance practices and traditions. Outcomes will include a series of lectures and seminars, research meetings and workshops, as well as publications aimed at both academic and broader audiences. (AU)