Historical Background, Dramaturgy, and Design
These texts and resources explore the history behind Fen, its dramaturgy, and design. Take a look and learn more!
Historical Background
- “Think of Us as Yourself”: Globalization, Neoliberalism, and the Politics of Fen: University of Chicago Professor Marissa Fenley uncovers the powerful political and economic systems in Fen.
- The Feminism of Fen: Everything comes from somewhere! Learn about the source text that inspired Caryl Churchill’s Fen, Mary Chamberlain’s seminal work Fenwomen: A Portrait of Women in an English Village.
Dramaturgy
- The Fenlands: Production Dramaturg Derek Matson provides an overview of the history and socioeconomic context surrounding FEN, while encouraging audiences to imagine a different, brighter future.
- Theatre & Thought Series: In 2020, Court conducted a series of conversations regarding Caryl Churchill’s Fen. Check out these discussions to deepen your knowledge of this ambitious, visceral production.
- Where is He Off To? The Japanese Businessman and Foreign Shadow in Fen: Wenke (Coco) Huang shares the importance of the Businessman character in Fen, shedding light on the economics, politics, and racism that pervade our globalized past and present.
- Britishisms: Explore this vocabulary list compiled by dramaturg Derek Matson. These definitions may help provide some context for regional and colloquial language in the fens.
Design
- Behind the Scenes (Intimacy and Violence Design): Hear from Fen‘s Intimacy and Violence Directors, Greg Geffrard and Sheryl Williams, as they discuss their field, where it fits into this production, and helping people rediscover their joy.
- Behind the Scenes (Scenic and Costume Design): Scenic Designer Collette Pollard and Costume Designer Izumi Inaba shed light on the design choices that make FEN such a standout theatrical experience.