‘Better than Medicine’: Theatre and health in the contemporary Norwegian context

Abstract

Keywords theatre and health act2 Teater Vildenvei empowerment substance abuse mental health wenche Torrissen Volda University College 'Better than Medicine': Theatre and health in the contemporary norwegian context ABsTrAcT This article documents the practice of act2 and Teater Vildenvei, two collaborative theatres in health companies in Norway.Based on an analysis of the companies' aims and objectives, their ethos, their particular working methods and the plays they have produced, I will examine the values that underpin the work of the two companies. The aim here is to assess what strategies the companies use in their work to promote health and well-being for marginalized and socially excluded groups in society. Working with people affected by addiction and mental health service users, respectively, act2 and Teater Vildenvei are using the medium of theatre to facilitate change processes that help the participants gain access, networks and a voice to enable empowerment. If health is the manifestation of empowerment, what might the empowerment of these voices mean for both individuals and for the groups at large? This article will not address the health effects of theatre in terms of medical effects, but it will assess why some participants of act2 and Teater Vildenvei describe the interventions as 'better than medicine' and 'good medicine'. A tentative explanation is that both act2 and Teater Vildenvei provide radically different solutions to people's problems than those offered by the biomedical model of health. Instead of treatment and diagnosis, act2 and Teater Vildenvei focus on resources, personhood, enablement, social support and empowerment in their attempt to promote health and well-being.

Exploring the impact on the health and well-being of young adults’ participation in ‘The Club’

“…This health promotion approach values individual autonomy and seeks to enhance the skills and confidence of a group or community (Naidoo and Wills 2009;Beattie 1991), which were also outcomes for the participants in this study. The findings also echo the suggestion of Torrissen (2015) that collaborative theatre projects and their focus on personhood and empowerment is an important means of promoting health and well-being.…”

“…Performance-based work can take a person-centred approach to communication of health messages and recognize that appreciates the experiences of individuals, enhancing inclusion for those who feel isolated (Low 2010). Torrissen (2015) suggested that collaborative theatre projects provide radically different solutions to the health problems encountered by individuals than those offered by the biomedical model of health, since they focus on resources, personhood, enablement, social support and empowerment to promote health and well-being, rather than on treatment and diagnosis. Beswick (2012) reports on the role that a National Youth Theatre educational outreach initiative played in the opportunity structures for young people, in addition to issues of representation and aspiration.…”

Participatory theatre and mental health recovery: a narrative inquiry

“…• To create dialogue between mental health service users and the larger community in order to reduce stigma and counter negative stereotypes towards people with mental health problems. 27 Teater Vildenvei has over 30 productions to its credit. Taken together, the plays performed by Teater Vildenvei have addressed a range of issues and PEER REVIEW include plays for both children and adults.…”

Impact of Opera on Mental Health Stigma: Pilot of Provider/Community Workshop

“…We presented results from a pilot study of impact of a workshop event featuring excerpts from two operas on complicated grief (Eleanor Roosevelt) and serious mental illness, hospitalization and recovery (Elyn Saks), with post discussion with Saks and others. To our knowledge, it is one of the first evaluations of the impact on mental health-related opera events, though there are studies of plays, musical theater and other media (Estroff et al, 2004 ; Fancourt & Finn, 2020 ; Heenan, 2006 ; Lenette et al, 2016 ; Mango et al, 2019 ; McLean et al, 2011 ; Ørjasæter et al, 2017 ; Torrissen, 2015 ; Warren, 2016 ). The workshop was held within a medical center with a diverse audience, more than half non-white, including health care providers and community members.…”

“…There is substantial literature on use of arts on mental health themes for therapy and public and provider education, with some research on impacts on mental health stigma and other outcomes, largely through mixed methods (Estroff et al, 2004 ; Fancourt & Finn, 2020 ; Heenan, 2006 ; Lenette et al, 2016 ; McLean et al, 2011 ; Ørjasæter et al, 2017 ; Torrissen, 2015 ; Warren, 2016 ). There are similarities and differences in use of arts for creative and therapeutic purposes, such as arts permitting more psychological distance from the subject matter relative to therapy (Ayers et al, 2003 ; Margrove et al, 2013 ).…”