The Open University unveils new research on post-conflict theatre in Northern Ireland: Advocacy Theatre: Activist as Authors in Northern Ireland

Posted on 28 August 2024 • Around the OU

The Open University in Ireland is proud to announce the upcoming publication of Advocacy Theatre: Activists as Authors in northern Ireland, a significant research project that explores the emergence of theatre as a tool for activism in Northern Ireland during the post-conflict period.

The research, conducted over several years, offers a deep dive into the unique contributions of former paramilitaries, political activists, and social change advocates who turned to playwriting as a means of promoting peace and advocating for change.

A New Perspective on Post-Conflict Theatre

The research covers a critical period in Northern Ireland’s history, spanning the peace processes from 1998 to the present when paramilitary organisations committed to peaceful and democratic means of political engagement.

Many former combatants and activists transitioned to careers as writers and theatre makers, creating a body of work that has been both controversial and critically acclaimed.

These plays have been performed not only across Ireland but also in Britain, the United States, Africa, and Europe, making a significant impact on audiences worldwide. Simultaneously, a new generation of writers has emerged, campaigning on human rights issues while producing remarkable words of theatre.  These plays have made a significant impact on audiences at home and abroad.

Key Findings

Based on interviews with nine playwrights and activists, as well as theatre professionals involved in the production of these plays, Advocacy Theatre offers a comprehensive overview of the types of playwriting undertaken by these individuals. The research highlights two main areas:

1. Theatre as a Tool for Political Advocacy: The study reveals how theatre was used by former paramilitaries and political activists to promote political ideologies and advocate for change during a “time of not peace, not war” (Byrne, 2001). These plays provided a platform for expressing the complex realities of the post-conflict period in Northern Ireland.
2. The Role of Theatre in Peacebuilding: The research examines the role theatre can play in developing democratic and non-violent modes of activism in sites of dispute. It presents findings that suggest these plays have contributed positively to addressing legacy issues from Europe’s longest-running civil conflict.

Upcoming Publication

Advocacy Theatre: Activists as Authors in northern Ireland will be available by Liverpool University Press. The book is expected to serve as an essential resource for scholars, theatre practitioners, and peacebuilding professionals, offering new insights into the intersections of art, politics, and conflict resolution.

Launch Event and Further Information

To celebrate the publication, The Open University will host a launch event on 6 September 2024 in Belfast City Hall featuring a panel of writers and theatre experts, and an invited audience of those from theatre, the arts, and the field of politics. The event will focus on the role theatre can play in mediating the challenges that lie ahead, including legacy issues from the conflict, demographic changes, and the diversification of northern Irish society.

This project has been supported by funding from the British Academy and the Leverhulme Trust.

Picture credit: Ryan Orr