To nie jest jedna historia

Jess Thorpe describes the genesis of the introduction of post-dramatic theatre practice known as the devised theatre into Scottish prisons. The term denotes collective work on theatre performances using the improvisation method. The author presents the individual stages of the production process. She cites examples of exercises, giving tips and sharing experiences. She emphasizes a democratic dimension of the questions used as part of the working method of the devised theatre. As a theatre practitioner she is in favour of multiplicity of voices, versions and narratives. Working with Scottish prison inmates, both women and men, Thorpe considers supporting “constructing their own identity” and fashioning collectivities based on creative dialogue as the aims of her theatre practice. The benefits of working in prisons can also be enjoyed by artists, strengthening the belief in the “transformative power of art” being one of them.