CMU School of Drama


Thursday, April 20, 2017

Playwright Interview: Helen Richardson on Ubu in 2017

Breaking Character: 2017 has left many Americans stunned by our nation’s politics, and artistic communities around the country are finding ways to get politically involved on a local level. Today we chat with playwright, professor, and theatre historian Helen Richardson. Richardson is an authority on most things theatrical, and she joins us today to talk about her adaptation of Alfred Jarry’s seminal play, Ubu. For those unfamiliar with this title, Ubu is a political play that heralded the avant-garde movement in theatre. The play has been used as a tool to critique those in power for over a century, and is more topical today than many Americans would like it to be. Whether you have seen a production of Ubu, are looking to stage a piece of political theatre, or just want to brush up on your theatre history, Richardson’s insights (not to mention her play) make for some worthwhile reading.

No comments: