In August, I visited the Eden Project in Cornwall, where I currently live and study. The visit reminded of the crisis we are in and the urgency we need to have in treating the crisis. Whilst in the Rainforest biome I was reminded of the Amazon fires of last year and the effects of palm oil farming on the eco systems. Then in the Mediterranean biome I was reminded of the scary and upsetting Australian fires from December/January just gone. I am a young person who is scared of my future and feel as if there is a ticking clock. As an individual I am vegetarian and have reduced my dairy consumption, have given up fast fashion where I can and try to reduce my plastic waste. I also attended a #schoolstrike4climate this year. But I wonder if theatre can help this crisis in anyway? How can I bring my climate activism and theatre together.
Walking around the Eden Project I was inspired by the amount of art it contained. I loved the sense of bringing art and science together and there were a many great amazing pieces dotted around the Biomes and the Gardens. It showed to me the art can speak for the climate crisis. I also noticed that Knee-high Theatre have collaborated with the Eden Project on their Walk with me app. I did not try it personally myself, however I aim to visit the project myself and immerse myself in listening to Knee-high whilst walking around the beautiful biomes. The collaboration of the science and theatre is so exciting.
I am part of a society at my university called Sostena Theatre society. We aim to be a sustainable theatre company and to promote themes of community and climate change. Currently we are working on a radio play based around the theme of isolation which has been heavily influenced by our experience of lockdown but also by how we sometimes feel isolated in our eco anxiety. My eco anxiety has been propelled during covid-19 because of the amount of single waste items being used because of masks and other ppe and coffee shops not being able to take reusable cups for a period of time. Also by how during lockdown wwe noticed nature going back to its original states such as the clear water in the italien canals and fish swimming in them again. Something I knew would be taken away when lockdowns were lifted and industries started accelerating at higher rates than before.
How can theatre help the climate crisis?
Theatre has the storytelling ability that normal activism does not always have. So because of this so has precision in what it wants an audience to hear.
We can put the activism on a stage using theatre. This means people have to look up at the issue and we can use forms such as documentary or verbatim theatre to emphasise the truths of the climate crisis.
Theatre is a very temporary business, which in some ways can mean lots of waste, however it echoes the message of the climate crisis that nothing is forever, especially the earth. Also it is never one person responsible for a show, it is a whole team of people, echoing how the climate crisis cant just be addressed by individual but by big businesses and governments.
Theatre of the Oppressed techniques could be used to show people that they have a choice in saving the world. Forum theatre and invisible theatre techniques can be used to emphasises that if more and more people take control of what they consume and actions they take in terms of climate action the world can be a better place.
What sustainable theatre is there currently?
Kneehigh have collaborated with the Eden project through their ‘Walk with me’ app.
Scenery Salvage – a recycling centre for set. They collect, store, strip down and hire out set
National Theatre declaration – the national have declared their own climate emergency and aim to become carbon neutral by 2050 (which is not soon enough). The NT also have a costume hire scheme to recycle clothes and reuse materials.
Letters to Earth – an event where 50 arts venues hosted reading by members of the public to raise awareness for the issue. These letters were collated and published in a book.
Julie’s Bicycle – an organsiation that works with theatres and arts organisations on developing environemental and sustainable policies.
The Greenhouse Theatre – the UK’s first ever zero waste theatre! From their venue to their shows, they aim to be as low waste as possible and to promote the message through their shows and workshops.
Although theatre can help, it really is people in power we need to target. Those in politics and in big corporations who are using the most energy and resources whilst creating substantial amounts of waste. Whilst theatre can be political it is not a substitution for politics and those in power. We can elevate the conversation through art and shows, workshops and declarations, however real change comes from those in power.
The Theatre Politician 