Malawian theatre at the crossroads: developmental paradigms and underdevelopment of stage drama in Malawi

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Periodical article

Title:	Malawian theatre at the crossroads: developmental paradigms and underdevelopment of stage drama in Malawi
Author:	Magalasi, Mufunanji
Year:	2001
Periodical:	Journal of Humanities (ISSN 1016-0728)
Issue:	15
Pages:	17-42
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Malawi Central Africa
Subjects:	theatre Art, Architecture, Music, Drama Dramatic arts Performers
External link:	https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jh/article/view/6282
Abstract:	Theatre for Development (TFD) practice in Malawi overshadowed any meaningful development of aesthetical theatre in the 1970s and early 1980s. The 'school-drama-club' approach of the Association for Teaching English in Malawi (ATEM) has done considerable damage to professional stage drama in Malawi as well, notably its emphasis on spoken English as a measure of quality, at the expense of aesthetical performance. Malawi radio drama's approach has also had a misleading influence on stage drama. In all three paradigms the focus was on development at the expense of the medium - aesthetical theatre - that carried the message. The 'generalized' practice of Kwathu Drama Group and Wakhumbata Ensemble Theatre are taken as examples of misled practice. Bibliogr.