Talking about theatre and therapy

Abstract

This piece is an attempt to encourage talk about theatre and therapy in the context of the Az Theatre ‘War Stories’ project, an international exploration of war and theatre, of destruction and creativity, the latest phase of which is focused on stories of recovery. It is a development of notes written for a meeting with a group of therapists of different kinds, and associates of the company. The project and its background are described and the perspectives that have informed the work are laid out. Some ideas about trauma and the impact of war and violence are related to myth and stories and particularly to Euripides' play Alcestis. The working methods of the project and the relationship to the therapeutic community are described.