Community theatre centre stage in new book

Rebellious Mirrors

Paul Maunder

$45 - Canterbury University Press

This account of community-based theatre – theatre created by professionals working with communities – challenges the mainstream history of New Zealand theatre. 

Rebellious Mirrors looks at the early production of theatre in Aotearoa/New Zealand, investigates the experimental period of the 1970s, which is seen as searching for an authentic role, portrays the beginnings of Māori theatre, and gives a comprehensive portrait of a field of work during the period 1990–2010: work that took place within the contradictory framework of neo-liberalism.

Paul Maunder has had a life-long career in New Zealand theatre, beginning in experimental group theatre, exploring political and bicultural theatre, with occasional forays into the mainstream, before becoming committed to community-based theatre. 
He recently completed his PhD at the University of Canterbury. His book Coal and the Coast: A reflection on the Pike River disaster was published by CUP in 2012.