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"For quarter of a century Free Theatre has refined cultural horizons and shaped Christchurch's perceptions of contemporary theatre"
- The Press, 21 May 2008
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Free Theatre Chch
PO Box 2736
Christchurch 8015

Ph: (03) 364 2987 ext.7934
(021) 0256 1384

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@freetheatre.org.nz


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The Free Theatre is only what it is in the present moment. Whoever contributes to Free Theatre at any given time defines the group. That is to say, because Free Theatre remains a collaborative and group-based organisation with as much emphasis on process as final product, the contributors necessarily have a greater impact than in many hierarchical theatres.

In a sense, the very notion of 'free' theatre resists rules or manifestoes. However, this sort of 'free'dom has meaning only in contrast to existing constraints. Since society evolves, and with it our perception of constraints, there have been countless manifestoes over the years that have had, at core, this impetus to liberate the theatre from its conservatism and, in so doing, perhaps help to liberate society as well. These are presented with the added thought that to be true to any set of ideals, one must adapt them to one's own social and political context...

André Antoine - From the Free Theatre (1890)

Alfred Jarry - From Of the Uselessness to Theatre of the Theatre (1896)

Ivan Goll - Preface to Methusalem or The Eternal Bourgeois (1922)

Karl Valentin - From Compulsory Theatre (c. 1925?)

Antonin Artaud - Letter to Comoedia (1932)

Tadeusz Kantor - From Impossible Theatre (1972)

Peter Falkenberg (Artistic Director, Free Theatre) - Theatre of Unease (2006) [.DOC, 72kb]



Here, we present additional writings by our Free Theatre artistic director and other collaborators who have written about Free Theatre productions.

Peter Falkenberg (Artistic Director, Free Theatre) - Why Devise? Why Now? Why New Zealand? (2005) [.PDF, 76kb]

Peter Falkenberg (Artistic Director, Free Theatre) - The Theatre as Counterpublic: From The Balcony to Distraction Camp (2010) [.PDF, 100kb]

Peter Falkenberg (Artistic Director, Free Theatre) - Lacking Drama, Making Theatre: Why Can't Robinson Crusoe Play? (1998) [.PDF, 112kb]

Peter Falkenberg (Artistic Director, Free Theatre) - Lacking Desire/Making Drama: The Theatrical Meets the Prosaic in a Post-Puritanical World (1999) [.PDF, 164kb]

Peter Falkenberg (Artistic Director, Free Theatre) - Nico: I'll be your mirror (2009) [.PDF, 88kb]

Peter Falkenberg (Artistic Director, Free Theatre) - Nothing Ever Happens Here (2003) [.PDF, 96kb]

Peter Falkenberg (Artistic Director, Free Theatre) - Fear of Flying (I): Samson Airline (2005/2006) [.PDF, 100kb]

Marian McCurdy (Actor, Free Theatre) - Remake: Parker-Hulme and The Maids (2007) [.PDF 584.5 KB]

Ryan Reynolds (Actor, Free Theatre) - Moving Targets: Political theatre in a post-political age (2006) [206 pages, .PDF, 2.5MB]

Ryan Reynolds (Actor, Free Theatre) - Moving Targets: An "Illogical" Theatre of Resistance in (Pre)Occupied Territory (2007) [.PDF, 80kb]