Do it Yourself

Making Political Theatre

Common/Wealth

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Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Manchester University Press
23 September 2025

Performance art; Theatre Studies; Radio scripts; Social classes

A unique guide to creating political theatre, produced by one of the UK's most exciting companies.

Do It Yourself is a vital resource for anyone interested in exploring theatre culture grounded in and produced by working-class communities. Designed for artists, activists and community organisers, the book offers a step-by-step guide to creating political theatre that is relevant, impactful and rooted in the lives of everyday people.

Common/Wealth have spent fifteen years working at the cutting edge of political theatre. In Do It Yourself, they share their experimental and activist approach to performance-making, based on DIY principles and the belief that ground-breaking theatre can be made with anyone, anywhere, in ways that truly resonate with the communities it serves.

Do It Yourself introduces Common/Wealth's artistic and political ethos, provides unique insights into their most significant performances and offers practical exercises for creating your own work. But this is not just a manual. It is a celebration of culture as a collective endeavour, one that can challenge the status quo and inspire change.

By: Common/Wealth
Imprint: Manchester University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 210mm, Width: 148mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 580g
ISBN: 9781526192974
ISBN 10: 1526192977
Pages: 360
Publication Date: 23 September 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Foreword How to use this book Common manifesto In common Making Works Index -- .

Evie Manning and Rhiannon White are Co-Artistic Directors and Co-Founders of Common/Wealth Jenny Hughes is Professor of Drama at the University of Manchester Common/Wealth are a theatre company based in Bradford and Cardiff that make award-winning work across the UK and internationally

Reviews for Do it Yourself: Making Political Theatre

'This is a book about why theatre matters, why it matters who makes theatre, and what can be done to change how theatre is made. It is a force for good, a practical, passionate account of what’s possible, and how to achieve the impossible. Read it, learn, and act. Now.' Helen Nicholson, Royal Holloway, University of London 'It’s bloody excellent. Fuck me' Matt Woodhead. Co-Director, LUNG 'Accessible, engaging and deeply inspiring. At a time when so much seems so broken and in need of urgent action, this book serves as an important and highly practical resource for those who share Common/Wealth’s conviction that theatre can change things for the better.' Bobby Smith, University of Warwick -- .