Anarchist theatre or worker’s theatre? Chile, 1895-1927

Abstract

this article is concerned with evaluating the importance of anarchist dramaturgy in Chile towards the end of the 19th century and during the fi rst quarter of the 20th century. In order to achieve this objective, Sergio Grez uses all available historical sources about the anarchist school of thought of this country, both primary sources and studies by various authors about Chilean anarchist theatre and Chilean theatre in general. Th e assertions of these writers are analysed in the light of new evidence collected from original sources of the period involved, including those cited in the works consulted with the objective of answering the question posed in the title of this text. Th e main conclusion of the study of plays produced by and for the labour movement in Chile between 1897 and 1927 is that the collection of theatrical works is rather more libertarian or worker’s theatre (in its broadest sense) than strictly anarchist, with specifi cally anarchist theatre being very rare. Nevertheless, Sergio Grez states that an anarchist theatre did exist during this period and it included the production of numerous works which were written by authors who were not anarchistsbut whose content and messages were shared by democrats, socialists and anarchists.