Poor Theatres: a critical exploration of theatre and performance

Poor Theatres explored the relationship between theatre, performance and poverty by interrogating their interstices at three distinct historical junctures (in the 1830s, 1980s, and the 2010s). Taken together, these provided an opportunity to explore the interstices of theatre, performance and poverty in relation to the emergence and contestation of classic liberal and neoliberal economic practices respectively, and the associated rise and decline of industrial society and transition to a post-industrial economy.

The research developed a contribution from theatre and performance studies to the understanding of social welfare and resource management systems in times of economic austerity and ecological uncertainty. The project included collaborative research activity with local and international theatre-makers and organisations working with economically precarious groups.

The website provided a platform for learning more about theatre projects that are embedded in social welfare or economic development initiatives, and theatre practice that deals with issues of economic security or economic justice.