Paper short abstract:

This study and methodology document findings from artistic research in site-specific theatre, interrogates ‘Esther’s Revenge’, a play that chronicles the love and hate between Esther (Nigerian) and Mark (British). The selected paradigm is interrogated from a triplex position: as an anti-racial statement, engaging the theatrics of site-specific theatres, and developing a body of knowledge from artistic research for academia.

Paper long abstract:

Artistic research in recent times has become a formidable method in creating knowledge of the past, juxtaposed against the present and future forms. The emerging results from such research either employed as a dramaturgical process or examined from the interrogation of these works of art suggest that specific enablers provide platforms for human behavioral and social reformation agenda. Thus, such results have created acceptable methodologies and ways of reconfiguring African studies, particularly in the academia. Therefore, this study considers artistic research in line with its functional and utility value in creating a knowledge pattern poised for academic excellence, thus, decolonizing the space in the racialized theatre. In justifying the position of this paper, this study interrogates Esther’s Revenge. Esther’s revenge falls under the category of site-specific theatre. Its thrusts engage racial profiling, social injustice, abuse and violence against women as conceived by the playwright developed experientially along with the environment in which the actual event took place in 1953. The play chronicled the love and hate between Esther (Nigerian) and Mark (British, and how she was sentenced to death by hanging in 1956 following Mark’s death. The performance presents the audience as members of the special jury to later fight in favour or against Esther’s case. This study therefore interrogates the selected paradigm from a triplex position: as an anti-racial statement, engaging the theatrics of site-specific theatres, and developing a body of knowledge from artistic research for academia.