Theatre’s radical potential: a study of critical performativity

Joining the debate on ‘critical performativity’ as articulated in the field of critical management studies (CMS), we engage with Boltanski’s dual framework of critique to examine the development of an Italian critical theatre project. Based on an ethnographic study, we discuss the theatre actors’ experiences, thereby (a) demonstrating the potentiality of theatre for a radical critique of social reality, and (b) exposing how this potential is hampered in reproducing the dominant theatre institution. The reflective and contested theatre production is held up as a deflecting mirror – a heterotopic space – in considering CMS’ potential for radical critical performativity. The theatre actors’ experiences offer insights for developing the conceptualization of (radical) critical performativity by reflecting upon the role of the critical scholar in finding allies in the quest to normalize critique and developing heterotopic aspects of academia.