Grassroots Playwriting

: Practice-led research exploring the Impact of Producing Historical Verse Drama for a local Community

Abstract

Christ Savery

Grassroots Playwriting: Practice-led research exploring the Impact of Producing Historical Verse Drama for a local Community

Over the past thirty years, Practice as Research has contributed to a deeper understanding of theatre ecology, particularly in relation to the complexities and nuances of grassroots community theatre. This study builds upon this body of knowledge by addressing the question: How can the creation and performance of a historical verse drama by a self-producing grassroots playwright serve as a catalyst for community engagement? Central to this thesis is the investigation into my role as a self-producing playwright within the context of grassroots theatre, and the staged reading of my practice-led creation, 1588, a historical verse play dramatising the Spanish Armada’s impact on my home city of Plymouth. Using the play as a case study, this project asks questions about the nature and value of production levels, with special attention to the role of a staged reading and the role of historical verse drama. By engaging with local histories through a shared theatrical experience, the thesis examines how the interplay of history and verse fosters collective engagement and reflection, strengthens cultural identity, stimulates a deeper connection to local heritage, and creates a strong sense of ownership for participants over the creative process. The project’s methods include qualitative analysis of both participant and audience responses to the processes of staging the reading. Findings suggest that grassroots historical verse drama stripped back to a staged reading, can productively unite communities, ignite creative participation, and reinforce local identities through self-produced storytelling. They also expose the value of the self-producing playwright as a social hub within a community and the importance of their roles as social actors.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Plymouth
Supervisor	Jamie Harper (Director of Studies (First Supervisor)) & Anthony Caleshu (Other Supervisor)