The Stage as a Documentary Arena: Dramatizing the Psychological Murder Mystery in Sharon Pollack’s Blood Relations
Abstract
Sharon Pollock managed to incorporate elements of elementary theatre in her play Blood Relations. She did that by merging real historical events with an artistic theatrical storytelling as well as structure narrative techniques and character's dialogues and interactions. By doing so, Pollock succeeded to blur the boundaries between reality and fiction to enhance the audience's involvement and comprehension the truth surrounding Lizzie Borden's murder. Pollock used real documents, newspaper clippings, and courtroom recordings and real witnesses in a documentary style. This innovative style enabled Pollock to bring Lizzie's case back to life.
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