VII ‘The Dramatised Word: Theology, Philosophy and Literature in Conversation’

The Power of the Word International Conference 7
Rome, 16 - 20 September 2024

The seventh international Power of the Word conference, entitled ‘The  Dramatised Word: Theology, Philosophy and Literature in Conversation’, was held at the Università  Sapienza, Rome,  in September 2024. Once again, participants, both returners and newcomers, came from the UK, the USA, and continental Europe, with significant numbers from Poland and Italy, Latin America, Australia, and the Philippines. The conference examined the ways in which the potency of the word is expressed through enactment or performance. The programme was kaleidoscopic, with many approaches to the theme. Some presentations explored the use of dramatic expression, others looked at stories told in the manner of a dramatic work, or show-cased literary works converted into drama, or adapted for representation on stage, in film or broadcast. ‘Dramatizing’ entails making narrative and even philosophical ideas into the subject of a drama, or imbuing a situation or narrative with a sense of drama. Several contributions touched on these aspects, as well as on dramatic traditions –Greek, Renaissance, modern – and on the religious 'Word', as enacted in liturgy, prayer and ritual.

 Keynote speakers came from different faith, cultural and academic backgrounds, addressing a diversity of topics:

• God, the world and dramatic theology
• Interior drama in Catholic revival
• Performing the Word and poetic faith
• History of philosophy: a dialogue with the past?
• The dramatized word in Sophocles’s Electra
• The paradoxical power of prayer

Specific examples of the ‘dramatised word’ were discussed in around fifty short paper presentations, considering:

• Bible and Drama
• Performed and dramatized poetry
• Eliot and drama
• The word performed
• Reading and drama
• Sacraments, liturgy and the dramatized word
• Theology and dramatic performance
• Good and evil in drama
• Adaptations and reception of ancient drama
• Philosophical intimations and the dramatised word

Participants were also invited to participate in a workshop/rehearsal dedicated to  ‘Shakespeare at prayer’, and to watch a dramatic performance of Flannery O’Connor's short story, ‘Everything that rises must converge’ staged especially for the conference by Karin Coonrod.

For information on speakers and presenters please click here.

The keynote addresses, and a selection of other presentations from the conference will  be in due course revised and re-edited for publication.