This session will explore the role of verbatim and documentary drama in times of social and political crisis. The focus will be on Ukrainian playwright Natal’ya Vorozhbit’s Bad Roads, a work responding to Russia’s invasion of Crimea, which was first performed at The Royal Court in 2017, as well as creative responses to the war in Ukraine more broadly. We hope to widen this conversation to include a general discussion of the affordances and limitations of the verbatim form.

As part of the TORCH Reimagining Performance Network, this reading group will meet fortnightly to discuss texts, read plays, and watch theatre in a relaxed and social setting.

No prior study or knowledge of theatre required – all are welcome!