Edward Bond’s Dialectical Theatre from the Perspective of a Dialectical Understanding of Utopia and Dystopia

Authors : Mesut GÜNENÇ

Pages : 30-42

Doi:10.47777/cankujhss.1255066

View : 65 | Download : 68

Publication Date : 2023-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Edward Bond asserts that art is significant because it is made up of a constant dialectic of variation in which every idea is subject to criticism. Bond does not argue that a utopian work of art resolves actual conflicts in a fictitious setting; rather, he emphasises that it exposes these issues in a concrete way in its internal structure and reflects the need for a new and different existence. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how Bond, one of the most prominent representatives of Marxist-dialectical theatre, creates a dramaturgy of utopia insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(individual);/dystopia insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(dividual); and hope/hopelessness in his plays The Bundle insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1978); and Summer insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1982);. Bond believes that art, particularly theatre, should be employed to encourage the desire for a socialist utopia. Bond does not resolve the contradictions of life insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(within capitalism); in a utopian fiction; rather, he contends that the problems of capitalist exploitation that drive individuals to hopelessness should be made visible in his plays’ internal structure. He does this through a kind of Brechtian theatre where the contradictions of capitalism are foregrounded. Like Brecht, Bond attempts to use theatre to promote change in society - both represent the fundamental problems of society to convince spectators that social change is necessary and possible. Bond purposefully employs a mix of political propaganda and a utopian hope for a new and different existence. His plays exhibit a desire for a politically awake society, and a peaceful world that prioritises equality and freedom.
Keywords : Dialectic, Utopia, Dystopia, Edward Bond, Hope