title: 'We turned it into a play': Transmedial adaptations in contemporary theatre

authors: Simes, David Edward John

subjects: Adaptation

abstract: Adaptation is an ever-expanding field of study, with new trends and terms established in response to the proliferation of media. This thesis investigates how theatrical adaptation fits into emerging adaptation discourses, particularly the idea of transmediality. Although theatre is often side-lined in adaptation studies, this thesis argues that theatrical adaptation embodies various historical and contemporary adaptation trends. This thesis also contends that, in line with current understandings of media specific qualities, and media theory, adapting from any form of media to the stage is inherently transmedial. Investigating contemporary theatrical adaptation adapted from differing forms of media (novel, picturebook, comic), this thesis will highlight the processes of adaptation, in both creation, and reception. Focusing on the narrative in three adaptive stages – the original text, the script adaptation, and then the productions of that script – this thesis will highlight the key adaptation concepts utilised in three adaptations. Mark Haddon’s novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2003) forms the basis of Simon Stephens’ play of the same name (2012), which in turn resulted in productions directed by Marianne Elliott and Sara Brodie. Kit Williams’ picturebook Masquerade (1979) is expanded and reworked by Kate Mulvany in her play Masquerade (2015), which was given life on the stage in a production directed by Lee Lewis and Sam Armstrong. Mulvany interweaves song into her script, and this awareness of the musicality of theatre is amplified in Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori’s libretto Fun Home (2015), an adaptation of Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic (2006). By considering the play text, and each individual production, as an adaptation in its own right, the research presented here aims to foreground the place of theatrical adaptation in adaptation studies.

text: 'We turned it into a play': Transmedial adaptations in contemporary theatre Adaptation is an ever-expanding field of study, with new trends and terms established in response to the proliferation of media. This thesis investigates how theatrical adaptation fits into emerging adaptation discourses, particularly the idea of transmediality. Although theatre is often side-lined in adaptation studies, this thesis argues that theatrical adaptation embodies various historical and contemporary adaptation trends. This thesis also contends that, in line with current understandings of media specific qualities, and media theory, adapting from any form of media to the stage is inherently transmedial. Investigating contemporary theatrical adaptation adapted from differing forms of media (novel, picturebook, comic), this thesis will highlight the processes of adaptation, in both creation, and reception. Focusing on the narrative in three adaptive stages – the original text, the script adaptation, and then the productions of that script – this thesis will highlight the key adaptation concepts utilised in three adaptations. Mark Haddon’s novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2003) forms the basis of Simon Stephens’ play of the same name (2012), which in turn resulted in productions directed by Marianne Elliott and Sara Brodie. Kit Williams’ picturebook Masquerade (1979) is expanded and reworked by Kate Mulvany in her play Masquerade (2015), which was given life on the stage in a production directed by Lee Lewis and Sam Armstrong. Mulvany interweaves song into her script, and this awareness of the musicality of theatre is amplified in Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori’s libretto Fun Home (2015), an adaptation of Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic (2006). By considering the play text, and each individual production, as an adaptation in its own right, the research presented here aims to foreground the place of theatrical adaptation in adaptation studies.

year: 2022

title: A trip to the library: homelessness and social inclusion

authors: Hodgetts, Darrin

subjects: homelessness

abstract: This article explores homeless men's visits to a public library. It shows how homeless men identified the library as a space for safety and social participation, at a time when the regional newspaper published an item questioning the appropriateness of their presence in the library. The news report promotes universal narratives that would exclude homeless people, showing the intimate relationship between the symbolic space of news, the material space of the local library, and the lifeworlds of homeless men. We report fieldwork in which we interviewed homeless men, library staff and patrons. In addition, we worked with journalists on follow-up articles foregrounding the positive function of the library in homeless men's lives, and to challenge existing news narratives that advocate the exclusion of 'the homeless' from prime public spaces.

text: A trip to the library: homelessness and social inclusion This article explores homeless men's visits to a public library. It shows how homeless men identified the library as a space for safety and social participation, at a time when the regional newspaper published an item questioning the appropriateness of their presence in the library. The news report promotes universal narratives that would exclude homeless people, showing the intimate relationship between the symbolic space of news, the material space of the local library, and the lifeworlds of homeless men. We report fieldwork in which we interviewed homeless men, library staff and patrons. In addition, we worked with journalists on follow-up articles foregrounding the positive function of the library in homeless men's lives, and to challenge existing news narratives that advocate the exclusion of 'the homeless' from prime public spaces.

year: 2008

title: He huringa āhuarangi, he huringa ao: A changing climate, a changing world

authors: Awatere, S

subjects: climate change adaptation

abstract: Iwi/hapū (tribe/subtribe) governance institutions are increasingly asserting their rangatiratanga (autonomy) to manage climate change risks and meet the well-being of whānau (family)/ hapū/iwi. Howevere, there is a shortange of specific guidance for whānau/hapū/iwi with respect to climate change adaptation and mitigation. We provide a commentary about risk and uncertainty, knowledge gaps, and options for climate change mitigation and adaptation for whānau/hapū/iwi.

text: He huringa āhuarangi, he huringa ao: A changing climate, a changing world Iwi/hapū (tribe/subtribe) governance institutions are increasingly asserting their rangatiratanga (autonomy) to manage climate change risks and meet the well-being of whānau (family)/ hapū/iwi. Howevere, there is a shortange of specific guidance for whānau/hapū/iwi with respect to climate change adaptation and mitigation. We provide a commentary about risk and uncertainty, knowledge gaps, and options for climate change mitigation and adaptation for whānau/hapū/iwi.

year: 2021-10