Theatre history show goes outdoors

Brandon University’s introduction to theatre class livened up the Clark Hall courtyard Friday morning with an outdoor production titled “A Fool’s Guide to World Theatre History.”

The performance featured hand-painted puppets, music and a dramaturgical exhibition that celebrated theatre traditions from around the world.

It was the culminating project for students new to the university and to the world of theatre, class instructor Alyson Doyle told the Sun shortly after the event.

Doyle said she wanted the performance to be both educational and engaging, while allowing students to express themselves through collaborative creativity.

“These are all students who are new to the school or just taking the class for fun,” Doyle said. “I wanted to do something meaningful and fun that would introduce a lot of information in an accessible way.”

The play’s storyline, written collectively by the students, was inspired by recent conversations about freedom of expression and censorship in comedy. It follows a Greek comedian attempting to tell the story of Greek theatre, only to be repeatedly interrupted by jesters and performers from other global traditions insisting that their voices be heard, too.

“Essentially, it’s about different groups coming together to assert themselves in the world of theatre,” Doyle explained. “There’s the Greek jester, but also figures like Emperor Wu of Han from China, who represents shadow puppetry, and the playwright Wole Soyinka from Nigeria. The students chose which characters and cultures they wanted to highlight.”

Doyle divided the class into teams — writers, painters, and puppeteers — allowing each group to explore their own interests before bringing the elements together into a cohesive show.

“They did a fantastic job,” she said. “They were so empathetic and receptive to each other’s ideas. No one took offence if someone suggested something different. It was a very collaborative process.”

The students also curated a dramaturgical display, illustrating how the various characters have been portrayed throughout history and across cultures.

BU’s theatre department will continue its season later this year, with instructors leading a production of “Mother Courage and Her Children” in December — another play Doyle described as “very timely.”

“Look for that on our website,” she said. “It’s another important story, and I think audiences will really connect with it.”

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