ABSTRACT
Boal’s most famous theoretical work is undoubtedly Theatre of the Oppressed, originally published in 1974 in Spanish and Portuguese and translated into English in 1979. More than a decade later – a period in which Boal’s ideas spread throughout Europe – other writings became available: Games for Actors and Non-Actors, The Rainbow of Desire and Legislative Theatre. These later books are engaging and readable, the propositions persuasive and the application demonstrated through numerous examples recounted in characteristically lively style. Theatre of the Oppressed is in many ways a less accessible work. Furthermore, only a small part of it describes hands-on engagement with the theatre process. Given this, many people wanting to practise the methods will turn straight to Games for Actors. However, a reading of Theatre of the Oppressed will give a much deeper understanding of the principles on which Boal’s work is based.
