ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author intends to briefly outline the development of Theatre for Democracy in the UK, a practice that uses theatre and drama to engage citizens and local authorities as co-creators of ongoing political action with real world impacts. Emerging professional practice always sits at the intersection of a range of economic, social and political imperatives. Very few small-scale theatre organisations fell completely prey to what Michael Balfour identifies as a missionary/mercenary trap but, for most, embracing some form of well-meaning dilettantism was often the only means of survival. Politics were central, but it was not ‘Political Theatre’ in the traditional sense – there was no didactic message, only an ideological commitment to dialogue and democratic process. Initiation of the project/events could come variously from any of the parties but commitment from all three would be essential to count as Theatre for Democracy.
