Abstract
This research project critically and creatively explores the post-truth environment through the lens of political theatre. It contends that post-truth politics represents a paradigm shift in the understanding of mendacity in the Western political arena. Unlike traditional political deception, which relies on singular strands of disinformation, post-truth agents seek to destroy meaningful discourse and cultivate an agnotological environment—defined by Robert N. Proctor as one of deliberate, culturally induced ignorance (2).
This thesis argues that post-truth agents adopt theatrical tactics to destabilise truth and render traditional modes of critique—whether political or theatrical—ineffectual. Jenn Stephenson highlights that in a post-truth context, where truth is contingent, critiquing a singular truth becomes “ethically neutral” (227). Consequently, political theatre-makers must develop new dramaturgical strategies that respond to the problematisation of truth and authenticity in this landscape.
Through a practice-as-research (PaR) methodology, this project makes an original contribution to knowledge by formulating and testing methods to theatricalise and expose the machinations of post-truth politics. Combining theoretical analysis with practical experimentation, it investigates how a theatre director can reveal the mediations underpinning post-truth environments and reflect on the role of their own practice in constructing or deconstructing truth. This research provides new tools for theatre practitioners seeking to navigate and challenge the post-truth era, fostering critical engagement with audiences and expanding the possibilities of political theatre.