Performing satire in countries that aren't democratic can be a risky and sometimes dangerous activity. A recent example of this is happening in Zimbabwe, still controlled by dictator Robert Mugabe.
Zimbabwean authorities arrested touring artists involved with the political satire Rituals, then let them go. The production company website has details of this.
Then in Bulawayo the production was banned by police. However this was overturned by a local magistrate. So, there's clearly a battle going on. And the forces of repression aren't all powerful.
Still, there has been a concerted effort by the government to stamp out dissent. As this related article states:
The police, the spy Central Intelligence Organisation and the state censorship board have in recent months stopped political satire and art exhibitions, while in some cases some of the productions have been banned altogether and artists arrested in an attempt by hardliner security commanders to silence art productions perceived as too critical of Mugabe.
Zimbabwean authorities arrested touring artists involved with the political satire Rituals, then let them go. The production company website has details of this.
Then in Bulawayo the production was banned by police. However this was overturned by a local magistrate. So, there's clearly a battle going on. And the forces of repression aren't all powerful.
Still, there has been a concerted effort by the government to stamp out dissent. As this related article states:
The police, the spy Central Intelligence Organisation and the state censorship board have in recent months stopped political satire and art exhibitions, while in some cases some of the productions have been banned altogether and artists arrested in an attempt by hardliner security commanders to silence art productions perceived as too critical of Mugabe.
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