The Theatrical Public Sphere

Abstract

The concept of the public sphere, as first outlined by German philosopher Jürgen Habermas, refers to the right of all citizens to engage in debate on public issues on equal terms. In this book, Christopher B. Balme explores theatre's role in this crucial political and social function. He traces its origins and argues that the theatrical public sphere invariably focuses attention on theatre as an institution between the shifting borders of the private and public, reasoned debate and agonistic intervention. Chapters explore this concept in a variety of contexts, including the debates that led to the closure of British theatres in 1642, theatre's use of media, controversies surrounding race, religion and blasphemy, and theatre's place in a new age of globalised aesthetics. Balme concludes by addressing the relationship of theatre today with the public sphere and whether theatre's transformation into an art form has made it increasingly irrelevant for contemporary society.

Scenekunstens (for)handlingsrom etter 22. juli

“…The theatrical public sphere is affected when these intensities spill out of the auditorium and intervene in and engage with sensitive social discourses. 44 Breiviks Erklärung og Manifest 2083 engasjerer seg i «kampen om fortellingen» 45 etter terrorangrepet 22. juli. Det er i aller høyeste grad en «sensitive social discourse» 46 , saerlig i Norge, men også i andre europeiske land.…”

“…Det er påfallende at fri scenekunst som tematiserer 22. juli, i stor grad har oppsøkt marginale rom -sett ut ifra scenekunstfeltet. Denne selvmarginaliseringen har imidlertid en annen valør enn den som Balme omtaler 66 . Mens den modernistiske tilbaketrekning til et autonomt kunstrom bidrar til at scenekunsten mister relevans for den allmenne offentligheten, forstått som diskurs og debatt, er de her omtalte visningene på ikke-teater-steder et forsøk på å koble seg igjen på denne offentligheten.…”

Akram Khan, Lloyd Newson, and the Challenges of British Multiculturalism

“…The interesting and publicly led exchange of opinion between Malik -one of the show's original interviewees -and Lloyd Newson is detailed by ChristopherBalme (2014).…”

Teatro e esfera pública: o olhar de Christopher Balme e alguns casos brasileiros

“…Pode ser, portanto, comparado a alguns dos casos europeus analisados pelo professor neozelandês radicado em Munique, Cristopher C. Balme, em seu livro The Theatrical Public Sphere (Balme, 2014). Nele, o autor parte de casos contemporâneos e históricos para estudar o que considera ser uma tendência iniciada no século XIX, de desconexão do teatro para com as discussões da sociedade.…”