Actor Alone: Solo Performance in New Zealand

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorParker, Georgeen
dc.date.accessioned2008-09-07T21:33:18Z
dc.date.available2008-09-07T21:33:18Z
dc.date.issued2008en
dc.description.abstractThis thesis explores solo performance in New Zealand. That solo performance has been widely used in New Zealand's relatively brief theatre history is usually ascribed to the economy, manoeuvrability and adaptability of the form - common reasons for the popularity of solo performance elsewhere as well. But this thesis considers solo performance as a kind of theatre that has been suited to New Zealand in a distinctive way. In particular, I argue that solo performance has emerged on the margins of mainstream theatre in New Zealand as a means of actively engaging with a sense of isolation that typifies the post-colonial New Zealand experience. The ability of the solo performance to move between remote rural settlements and urban centres has connected these New Zealand communities in a way that is unusual for theatre in New Zealand. Furthermore, a solo performer speaking directly to an audience about the experience of living in New Zealand allows for an intimate interaction with a traditionally stoic and laconic masculine society. In this thesis, I make a case for three solo performances where it is possible to see, in the representation of a search for what it means to be a New Zealander, a theatrical contribution to nation-building: The End of the Golden Weather (1959), Coaltown Blues (1984) and Michael James Manaia (1991). However, in a subsequent chapter, I look at solo performances in New Zealand that might better be understood within global movements such as feminism and multiculturalism. I argue that this shift has depleted the power that the form once held to comment upon New Zealand identity and to assist in the search for national identity. I conclude the thesis by considering how ongoing theatre practice may be informed by the experience of solo performance in New Zealand.en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10092/1035
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.26021/4135
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUniversity of Canterbury. Theatre and Film Studiesen
dc.relation.isreferencedbyNZCUen
dc.rightsCopyright George Parkeren
dc.rights.urihttps://canterbury.libguides.com/rights/thesesen
dc.subjectsolo performanceen
dc.subjecttheatreen
dc.subjectNew Zealand theatreen
dc.subjectBruce Masonen
dc.subjectMervyn Thompsonen
dc.subjectJim Moriartyen
dc.subjectJohn Broughtonen
dc.subjectThe End of the Golden Weatheren
dc.subjectCoaltown Bluesen
dc.subjectMichael James Manaiaen
dc.subjectThe Case of Katherine Mansfielden
dc.subjectCathy Downesen
dc.subjectA Long Undressingen
dc.subjectMichael Parmenteren
dc.subjectThe Ballad of Jimmy Costelloen
dc.subjectTim Balmeen
dc.subjectKrishnan's Dairyen
dc.subjectJacob Rajanen
dc.subjectKa Shueen
dc.subjectLynda Chanwai-Earleen
dc.subjectHatch or the Plight of the Penguinsen
dc.subjectGeoff Chappleen
dc.subjectStuart Devenieen
dc.subjectColin McCollen
dc.subjectman aloneen
dc.subjectperformanceen
dc.subjectsoloen
dc.subjectcommunity hallen
dc.subjectmaraeen
dc.subjectFree Theatreen
dc.subjectEllaen
dc.subjectHerbert Achternbuschen
dc.subjectactor aloneen
dc.titleActor Alone: Solo Performance in New Zealanden
dc.typeTheses / Dissertations
thesis.degree.disciplineDramaen
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Canterburyen
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen
uc.bibnumber1096670
uc.collegeFaculty of Artsen
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_fulltext.pdf
Size:
2.02 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
Collections
Arts: Theses and Dissertations