Towards a New Popular Theatre (?). Reflections After the Completion of UBUmaterial Performative Archive on Instagram

Abstract

The article describes the building of UBUmaterial performative archive on Instagram during the COVID-19 lockdown by Papalangki Theatre Company in Greece (2020–2021). Through an innovative format, UBUmaterial started as the attempt of three actors-narrators isolated due to pandemic to rehearse and somehow present Ubu Roi by Alfred Jarry. However, exploring the Instagram and play’s potentialities, the three actors soon would be transformed into narrators of their own effort, using their households and adopting a commenting stance on their everyday situation. Thus, the dramaturgy of UBUmaterial’s posts (videos) integrated most of the traditional popular theatre’s features and strategies. After a reflection on the contemporary meaning of “popularity” in theatre/performance, the article suggests that UBUmaterial (as well as other digital forms of theatre) may be considered a form of modern popular theatre.