Themes of isolation in Saskatchewan radio drama
Date
2005-10-14
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Powerful themes of physical and emotional isolation are found in the Saskatchewan radio plays stored in the CBC files of the Saskatchewan Archives Recorded Sound Collection. Based on the examination of a selection of these plays in their audio format, this thesis will explore themes of isolation and how they are developed in contemporary Saskatchewan radio drama as organized into the following three categories: Timescape, Landscape, and Bodyscape. The Timescape chapter deals with themes of isolation and history plays. The Landscape chapter explores isolation and landscape within three radio plays by James Quandt. The Bodyscape chapter is dedicated to plays with themes of isolation, health, and healthcare. It also highlights the abundance of playwriting by women on healthcare topics. In doing so, the thesis addresses two larger questions: 1. To what extent are themes of isolation and the struggle to relieve it developed by Saskatchewan playwrights on the radio? And 2. If the most acute geographic and demographic isolation experienced by Saskatchewan residents was historic, i.e. during the history of European settlement, why are there still strong thematic currents of isolation appearing throughout Saskatchewan radio plays written after 1980? The development of themes of isolation in this selection of plays often reinforces the value of community and the dangers of isolation. The critical framework of the thesis relies most heavily on the thoughts of Northrop Frye, Margaret Atwood, Kelley Jo Burke, and Carol Gilligan. Most of the plays discussed were produced during the period between 1978-1988. These were the first ten years of local, full time radio drama production at CBC Saskatchewan in Regina. An annotated bibliography of the plays studied en route to this thesis follows the text.
Description
Keywords
bodyscape, landscape, radio plays, cbc saskatchewan, audio art, timescape
Citation
Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
Drama
Program
Drama