Do It Yourself: Making political theatre - Softcover

Common Wealth

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1526192977 ISBN 13: 9781526192974

Publisher: Manchester University Press, 2025

Synopsis

A unique guide to creating impactful political theatre, produced by one of the UK’s most innovative and exciting companies.

‘Do it yourself isn’t just a book – it’s a rallying cry!’ – Keith Saha, 20 Stories High

Do it yourself is a vital resource for anyone interested in exploring theatre culture grounded in and produced by working-class communities. Designed for artists, activists and community organisers, the book offers a step-by-step guide to creating political theatre that is relevant, impactful and rooted in the lives of everyday people.

Common/Wealth have spent fifteen years working at the cutting edge of political theatre. They share their experimental and activist approach to performance-making, based on DIY principles and the belief that ground-breaking theatre can be made with anyone, anywhere, in ways that truly resonate with the communities it serves.

Do it yourself introduces Common/Wealth's artistic and political ethos, provides insights into their performances and offers practical exercises for creating your own work. But this is not just a manual. It is a celebration of culture as a collective endeavour, one that can challenge the status quo and inspire change.

About this title

About the Author

Evie Manning and Rhiannon White are Co-Artistic Directors and Co-Founders of Common/Wealth Jenny Hughes is Professor of Drama at the University of Manchester Common/Wealth are a theatre company based in Bradford and Cardiff that make award-winning work across the UK and internationally

From the Back Cover

'Common/Wealth battle the numbness and disassociation that is a consequence of life under late capitalism with straightforward acts of extra ordinary connection. Their work is powerful, joyful, purposeful and full of integrity. They make theatre that cares about people, and that people care about. This book shares how.'
--Kae Tempest

'The book that theatre needs right now. Impassioned, practical, and rooted in a fiery integrity that illuminates every page.'
--Selina Thompson

'Since their very earliest work Common/Wealth have shown a rare ability to marry rigorous political thinking with joyous artistic experiment. Always listening to the communities they work with, and always abreast of the most thrilling innovations in performance, they bring the joy of discovery to everything they do, and enrich us all in the process.'
--John McGrath

'This book is a call to arms. It is an inspiring and galvanising read for anyone who makes theatre, or who is sick of feeling helpless to affect change. Stop stalling, read this book!'
--Gob Squad

Do It Yourself is a vital resource for anyone interested in theatre that is rooted in and produced by working class communities. Designed for artists, activists and community organisers, the book offers a step-by-step guide to creating political theatre. This is not just a handbook. It's a celebration of culture and politics as a collective endeavour.

Common/Wealth have worked at the cutting edge of political theatre for more than sixteen years. In this book they share their experimental and activist approach to performance-making, based on DIY principles and the belief that groundbreaking theatre can be made with anyone, anywhere, in ways that truly resonate with the people and places it serves.

Edition details

• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1526192977
• ISBN 13: 9781526192974
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240