The Starlight Ballroom: A Documentary Drama From conception to production

Abstract

This thesis documents the stages of development undertaken to produce The Starlight Ballroom- A documentary drama. A play devised by drawing on documentary theatre practice and methodology. Drawing on the literature of this genre, the thesis presents a historical perspective of the development of documentary theatre practice, from its origins in the work of Piscator through to the work of modern practitioners. This provides the context from which I have drawn my ideology and methodology. Definitions of documentary theatre are presented and issues regarding the authenticity and integrity of various forms of documentary theatre are discussed. I also present a rationale for the creation of The Starlight Ballroom with reference to theoretical and practitioner influence. The first methodology section details the scriptwriting process; providing a dramaturgical analysis of the play; and presenting a rationale supporting the choice of the particular playtext. The second methodology section details the production process from script to performance. This presents a description of the development of the rehearsal script during rehearsals and the development of the style and structure of the play. The conclusion analyses the extent to which my intentions in creating The Starlight Ballroom- A documentary drama were met, and reviews areas in which further development could be applied.