Political theater is drama or performing art which emphasizes a political issue or issues in its theme or plot. Overt forms of political theatre, with a characteristic and identifiable style of bold staging and simplified characterization, include the works of Bertolt Brecht and the street theatre of the San Francisco Mime Troupe, to name two examples. However, political theatre can also be defined as exploring themes more universal and central to society itself, especially when that society defines itself as politically conscious. One can say that the earliest Western dramas, arising out of the polis, or democratic city-state of Greek society, were political theatre to the most extreme degree. Their being performed in the main amphitheatres, central arenas used for theatrical performances, religious ceremonies and political gatherings, gave them a ritualistic and social significance that enhanced the relevance of the political issues being examined. And one must marvel at the open-minded examination of controversial and critical topics that took place right in the political heart of Athenian society, allowing a courageous self-examination of the first democracy trying to develop and refine itself further. Bertolt Brecht (February 10, 1898 – August 14, 1956) was an influential German dramatist, stage director, and poet of the 20th century. ... A polis (πολις) — plural: poleis (πολεις) — is a city, or a city-state. ... A city-state is a region controlled exclusively by a city. ... For other uses, see Athens (disambiguation). ...

Shakespeare can also be called an author of political theatre. Not only do his history plays examine the machinations of personal drives and passions determining political activity, but many of the tragedies such as King Lear and Macbeth examine the essence of political leadership or lack thereof, and the incredible complexity of the subterfuge of which human beings are capable when they become driven by the lust for power. William Shakespeare—born April 1564; baptised April 26, 1564; died April 23, 1616 (O.S.), May 3, 1616 (N.S.)—has a reputation as the greatest of all writers in English. ... King Lear and the Fool in the Storm by William Dyce (1806-1864) King Lear is generally regarded as one of William Shakespeares greatest tragedies. ... Scene from Macbeth, depicting the witches conjuring of an apparition in Act IV, Scene I Macbeth is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, based loosely on the historical King Macbeth of Scotland. ...

In later centuries, political theatre has usually been marginalized, forced into an outsider role critical of the government or policies of its own country. Associated with the cabaret and folk theatre, it has had an aura of being a theatre of, by, and for the people, and has flourished in oppressive governments as a means of actual underground communication and spreading of critical thought. And often it has been used to promote specific political theories or ideals, for example in the way agitprop was used to further Marxism and the development of communist society. Augusto Boal developed his internationally acclaimed method of Theater of the suppressed to further social change. Cabaret is a form of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue - a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances and the audience sitting around the tables (often dining or drinking) watching the performance. ... Agitprop is short for отдел агитации и пропаганды (otdel agitatsii i propagandy), i. ... Marxism is the political practice and social theory based on the works of Karl Marx, a 19th century German philosopher, economist, journalist, and revolutionary, along with Friedrich Engels. ... Communism - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... Date of Birth: 1931 Place of Birth: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Date of Death: N/A Age on Death: N/A Occupation: Theatrical Director, Writer & Politician Childhood: Boal was raised in his home town of Rio de Janeiro Education: He was a trained chemical engineer from the Columbia University in...

Less radical versions of political theater have joined the modern classical repertory - such as the critical dramas of Arthur Miller (The Crucible, All My Sons), which ask political questions that are inseparable from existential issues involving the behavior of human beings as social and political animals. In this sense they again approach the holistic universal relevance of the early Greek political drama. Arthur Miller in his later years Arthur Asher Miller (October 17, 1915 – February 10, 2005) was an American playwright, essayist, and author. ... The Crucible is a play written by Arthur Miller in 1953. ... All My Sons is the name of a 1947 play by Arthur Miller, a 1948 movie based on the play, and a 1986 made_for_TV movie, also based on the play. ... The term Political Drama can be used in several senses. ...

A new form of political theater emerged in the twentieth century with feminist authors like Elfriede Jelinek or Caryl Churchill who use nonrealistic techniques. Feminism is a body of social theory and a political movement primarily based on, and motivated by, the experiences of women. ... Elfriede Jelinek talking to anti-government protesters in Vienna, June 2000 Elfriede Jelinek (born 20 October 1946) is an Austrian feminist playwright and novelist. ... Caryl Churchill (born September 3, 1938) is a English writer of stage plays known for her use of non-realistic techniques and feminist themes. ...