Talks & Workshops

Do It Yourself: Making Political Theatre, a book by Common/Wealth

Co-written by Jenny Hughes, former Trustee of Common/Wealth and Professor of Drama at University of Manchester, and Co-Artistic Directors/Co-Founders, Evie Manning and Rhiannon White.

The book shares Common/Wealth’s approach to making site-specific, political performance in collaboration with working class communities under-served by the formal cultural sector. 

Alongside the publication of Common/Wealth’s first book, we can offer a range of talks and practical workshops for educational and community contexts to suit your needs, event and budget. We can also create something bespoke.

Talk: 1 hr 15 mins, including Q&A

We’ll share our DIY origins, how we’ve made shows along the way and why making political theatre is critical and urgent now more than ever. There will be time for questions at the end and hopefully it will encourage you to do it yourself! A call to arms with some inspirational and practical tips along the way.

Duration: 50 mins plus Q&A, approx. 1 hr 15 mins

Age guidance: 12+ 

Capacity: no limit

Workshop – Doing it Yourself: 2 hrs 30 mins

This workshop will offer a brief introduction to a range of practical exercises to enable you to work with others to create political theatre and make social change. The exercises will give you an insight into Common/Wealth, how we make original theatre about the here and now, and with people who may not have been part of any theatre-making process before. We’ll share our DIY origins, why the company exists, and how we highlight social injustices through making high quality award-winning theatre.

Suitable for people new to theatre, experienced theatremakers, activists and community organisers. 

Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins incl 15 min break

Age guidance: 16+

Capacity: max. 15 people

Workshop – Doing it Yourself: Half day – 4 hours

This workshop will introduce you to a range of practical exercises that will inspire and enable you to work with others to create political theatre and make social change. Working from your own lived experience, the exercises will give you an insight into Common/Wealth, how we make original theatre about the here and now, and with people who may not have been part of any theatre-making process before. The workshop will also give you insight into why the company exists, and how we highlight social injustices through making high quality award-winning theatre.

Suitable for people with some experience of theatre, activism or community organising who want to learn more about enabling others to gain that experience.

Duration: 4 hrs, including 30 min break

Age guidance: 16+

Capacity: max. 20 people

To enquire about booking a talk or workshop or for more information, please contact us via [email protected]

What people have said about the book

‘Common/Wealth battle the numbness and disassociation that is a consequence of life under late capitalism with straightforward acts of extra ordinary connection. Their work is powerful, joyful, purposeful and full of integrity. They make theatre that cares about people, and that people care about. This book shares how.’
-Kae Tempest

‘Since their very earliest work Common/Wealth have shown a rare ability to marry precise and rigorous political thinking with a joyous sense of artistic experiment. Always listening to the communities they work with, and always abreast of the most thrilling innovations in performance, they bring the joy of discovery to everything they do, and enrich us all in the process.’
-John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Factory International

‘This book is a call to arms. It is an inspiring and galvanising read for anyone who makes theatre, or who is sick of feeling helpless to affect change. Stop stalling, read this book!’
-Gob Squad

‘An idealistic howl of a manifesto brimming with practical tools for making theatre. A companion to Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed. A new generation of theatre makers are about to be created. As the authors say, ‘don’t wait for permission’. So go, create dangerously, we need you more than ever.’
-Patrick Jones, poet and playwright

‘Do It Yourself is a vital handbook for making political, site-specific theatre when it is desperately needed. Common/Wealth are some of the very best in the business, prioritising conversation, play and invention in an approach that is irreverent, ingenious, generous-spirited and galvanising.’
-Jen Harvie, Queen Mary University of London

‘This is a book about why theatre matters, why it matters who makes theatre, and what can be done to change how theatre is made. It is a force for good, a practical, passionate account of what’s possible, and how to achieve the impossible. Read it, learn, and act. Now.’
-Helen Nicholson, Royal Holloway, University of London

‘It’s bloody excellent. Fuck me.’
-Matt Woodhead, Co-Director, LUNG

‘Accessible, engaging and deeply inspiring. At a time when so much seems so broken and in need of urgent action, this book serves as an important and highly practical resource for those who share Common/Wealth’s conviction that theatre can change things for the better.’
-Bobby Smith, University of Warwick

‘”Culture” is not owned by the privileged. It’s everywhere and made by everyone. Common/Wealth know this – they’ve been proving it for years. This book gives us all permission to stop waiting, stop asking and start doing on our own terms. Common/Wealth have created something essential – a bold, useful, uncompromising toolkit for using creativity to build the world we want to live in and be part of. Politics isn’t a side note. Class isn’t a backdrop. This book makes that clear – and refuses to let you forget it. 

Do It Yourself: Making Political Theatre is a call to disrupt, to break away, and to play without apology. It’s practical, political, and rooted in care. Because DIY doesn’t mean alone – it means collective, messy, and on our own terms. It’s a reminder that we can all decide what theatre is, who it’s for, and where it happens.’
-Katy Baird, Artist and Director of Home Live Art

‘Whether you’re an emerging artist, a battle-worn activist, or someone who’s never made theatre, this book will hand you a mic, and a set of tools. Do It Yourself isn’t just a book – it’s a rallying cry!’
-Keith Saha, Artistic Director/Co-CEO/Co-founder, 20 Stories High

Other Talks & Workshops

We are available for talks, provocations and panel discussions.

Common/Wealth and former members of Speakers Corner have spoken at  a range of events across the UK.  In the past we have been part of discussions about site-specific theatre, political and radical theatre, socially engaged practice, working-class audiences, cultural democracy, experimental form and the role of politics for artists. We love being challenged, holding debate and creating new provocations that will push the boundaries of theatre and politics.

We have delivered talks/workshops at the following events/places:

Community Arts in Theatre, National Theater, Mannheim, Germany, No Boundaries Conference, Common Ground at the Lowry, Gulbenkian’s –  A Civic Role for Arts Organisations Conference, Wild Conference, ABO conference, Re-imagining local democracy with Open Democracy, The World Transformed Festival, Manchester University, York University, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Battersea Arts Centre, WMC, Chapter, Arnolfini, Clore Fellowship and National Theatre Wales.

To enquire about booking a talk or workshop or for more information, please contact us via [email protected]