ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author discusses the therapeutic aspects of community drama and theatre in Northern Ireland, as demonstrated by two projects, one in inner-city Belfast and the other in rural Fermanagh. Many professional theatre-workers in community and youth theatre would claim that the work is therapeutic in design, execution and results, though they might prefer a different word. ‘Therapy’ with its medical associations is not always a word with currency outside of clinical settings. The author considers the problems posed by the word ‘therapy’ for those participating in work outside of the medical context. In many parts of the country, rural and urban, people live in areas defined by sectarian boundaries. In the rural areas such boundaries are known but not actual. In the inner city areas of Belfast they are enforced by so-called ‘peace-lines’, i.e. physical walls and railings.
