Amharic Polmcal Plays (1974-81) a Contextual Study
No Thumbnail Available
Date
1997-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa Universiy
Abstract
This research is done on the Amharic political plays that were written and
performed from 1974 upto 1981. It studies them contextually.
The 1974 Ethiopian revolution is the first of its kind in the history of the
country. It has completely changed the socio-political system.
Though the revolutionaries had cooperated in overthrowing the feudobourgeois
regime, they started power struggle immediately after they succeeded to.
At the time theatre was one of the instruments of propaganda used by the
political groups which controlled the central power. Because of this plays, which
treated contemporary political issues following the central government's agenda,
dominated the stages for the next seven years.
There are many researches conducted on the plays during the Derg regime.
But none of them has studied the plays contextually. That is why this research is
designed to study them so.
The first chapter asseses the background. It revises the political situation of
the time and the relation between theatre and politics before and after the revolution.
The second chapter is devoted to the study of the scripts. Of the 3 I plays
which this research is based on 9 are selected for analysis. They are categorised into
four groups based on the issues they have treated as: protest plays, plays of political
intrigues, war plays and plays on the economy. They are discussed in relation to the
political situation.
The third chapter focuses on the style of productions and the audiences'
reactions. Dominant and new production styles used during the time are indicated.
Besides an effort is made to assess the audiences' reactions, the plays' effect upon
them and whether the plays succeeded the targeted aim.
Description
Keywords
Amharic Polmcal Plays