British Council Conversations

The National Theatre of Scotland's "Black Watch:" Theatre as Cultural Diplomacy.

Can nations encourage dialogue through art? What is cultural diplomacy? Why does it matter? Why should contemporary culture travel overseas?

Professor Nicholas Cull explores these ideas and others in The National Theatre of Scotland’s Black Watch: Theatre as Cultural Diplomacy, a co-publication with the University of Southern California (USC) Center on Public Diplomacy. We’re delighted to announce this new publication in celebration of the National Theatre of Scotland’s American debut in 2007.

Professor Cull highlights Black Watch as a case study in the multi-faceted relationship between contemporary art and cultural relations. Starting from the development of the play in the context of British culture and history, Cull goes on to discuss its international premiere in the US and the powerful role theater plays in initiating conversations between nations and building intercultural understanding.

You can download and read the publication as an Adobe PDF (4.7 MB)

ABOUT NICHOLAS CULL

Nicholas J. Cull is a Professor of Public Diplomacy and director of the Master’s program in Public Diplomacy at the University of Souther California in Los Angeles. British-born, he came to USC in 2005 from the University of Leicester, where he was a professor of American Studies and Director of the Centre for American Studies.

His research and teaching interests are broad and inter-disciplinary, centering on the history and the present role of culture, information, news and propaganda in foreign policy. He is author of the recent report for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Public Diplomacy, Lessons from the Past, and the forthcoming The Cold War and the United States Information Agency: American Propaganda and Public Diplomacy, 1945-1989 (Cambridge University Press 2008).

ABOUT THE NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND

Since its launch in February 2006, the National Theatre of Scotland has been involved in creating more than 53 productions in over 88 different locations. With no building of its own, the Company takes theater all over Scotland and beyond, working with existing and new venues and companies to create and tour theater of the highest quality. It takes place in the great buildings of Scotland, but also in site-specific locations, airports and tower blocks, community halls and drill halls, ferries and forests.

Scottish theater has always been for the people, led by great performances, great stories and great playwrights. The National Theatre of Scotland exists to build a new generation of theater-goers as well as reinvigorating the existing ones; to create theater on a national and international scale that is contemporary, confident and forward-thinking; to bring together brilliant artists, designers, composers, choreographers and playwrights; and to exceed expectations of what and where theater can be. For more information, please visit the company online.

ABOUT THE USC CENTER ON PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AT THE ANNENBERG SCHOOL

The USC Center on Public Diplomacy at the Annenberg School was established in 2003 as a partnership between the USC Annenberg School for Communication and USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences’ School of International Relations. It is a joint research and professional training center dedicated to furthering the study and practice of public diplomacy in the United States and around the world. For more information, please visit the center online.