S/LI/160. Discuss in depth the different concepts of ‘community’ held by John McGrath and Peter Brook, showing how these have determined their theatre work. Which concept do you find the more persuasive? Why?

John McGrath saw theatre as “the place where the life of a society is shown in public to that society.”[1] In contrast, Peter Brook’s manifesto The Empty Space suggests that a man walking across an empty space can become ‘theatre’ if another man is watching. [2] But is this true? Theatre should preferably create ‘community’ in the audience if they relate to the themes on stage, or it should entertain and educate. This essay explores the two directors’ different ideas on the concept of ‘community’ created by theatre and how this is evident throughout their work.