WORKING POLITICAL TIMELINE

• Europe (circa 500 BCE - 500 CE): In Celtic societies, the Druids were the primary storytellers responsible for preserving cultural knowledge through unscripted storytelling.

• Ancient Rome (27 BC - 476 AD): Performances and improvisations faced scrutiny, and the Druids were persecuted and suppressed during Roman expansion into Celtic lands.

• Ottoman Empire (13th century - early 20th century): Improvisational comedic performances ("Meddah") faced censorship and control by authorities, affecting minority comedians and performers.

United Kingdom

• Elizabethan England (1558 - 1603): Unlicensed acting and improvisation were considered illegal, affecting actors and aspiring performers.

• The Licensing Act of 1737 in England: It gave the Lord Chamberlain power to censor plays, effectively outlawing unscripted performances.

• The Theatres Act of 1843 in England: Partially lifted restrictions on plays but maintained censorship, limiting unscripted performances.

• The Lord Chamberlain's powers of censorship in England: Abolished in 1968, allowing more freedom in theatrical performances, including unscripted ones.

USA

• The Comstock Act of 1873 in the United States: Bans obscene materials, potentially affecting theatrical plays.

• The Provincetown Playhouse Raid (1926): Police raid a controversial play, leading to arrests and charges of obscenity.

• The Living Theatre Arrests (1960s): The Living Theatre faces arrests due to politically charged performances.

• The Trial of the San Francisco Mime Troupe (1969): The troupe faces a trial for performing without a permit.

• The Case of Chris Burden's "Shoot" (1971): A controversial performance art piece sparks discussions on artistic boundaries.

• The Trial of the Omaha Two (1970s): Members of the Omaha Magic Theatre face charges for dissenting artistic activities.

• The New York State Cabaret Law (1926-2017): A law restricts live performances in New York City venues, impacting improvisational shows.

Africa

• Late 19th Century: European colonial authorities impose their norms on African populations.

• Pre-Colonial Africa (up to the late 19th century): Griots were traditional storytellers who used improvisation as part of African cultural identity.

• Late 19th to Early 20th Century: Christian missionaries discourage traditional practices, including performances with cultural significance.

• 1920s to 1950s: African nationalist movements increase, leading to scrutiny and censorship of indigenous performances.

• Colonial Africa (late 19th century - mid 20th century): Foreign cultures suppress indigenous traditions, including the Griot tradition.

• Early 20th Century: Colonial administrators introduce policies and laws to censor cultural practices, restricting performances.

• 1950s to 1960s: Post-independence governments may impose restrictions on artistic expressions.

• Post-Independence Francophone Senegal (1960 onwards): Filmmakers use film to narrate national history and identity after colonialism.

• 1960s to 1970s: Post-colonial governments continue to regulate cultural expressions, including performances.

• Late 20th to 21st Century: Advocacy for indigenous cultural practices and performances increases in Africa.

• 1970s to 1990s: Political dissent in some African countries is met with censorship and suppression.

• Late 20th to 21st Century: African artists, scholars, and activists increasingly advocate for the recognition and preservation of indigenous cultural practices, including live performances.

• Late 20th to 21st Century: African nations achieve independence from colonial rule, leading to a resurgence of interest in indigenous cultural practices, including live performances. However, post-independence governments may also impose their own restrictions on artistic expressions that challenge their authority.