Live Like Pigs: form

Section: Realist Drama

Live Like Pigs is a realist drama, inspired by the social and economic conditions of post-World War II Britain.
The form involves the portrayal of truth, tackling themes of poverty, class struggle, and gentrification that resonate with real societal issues.
It aims to engender empathy and provoke social thought and action through its depiction of relatable characters facing struggles often experienced in real life.

Section: Kitchen Sink Realism

A product of the 1950s’ “kitchen sink realism” movement, the play features working-class characters in gritty, domestic environments - the literal and metaphorical “kitchen sink”.
It rejects romanticism and idealised portrayals of life, choosing instead to depict the struggles of everyday life with stark realism.
The form is underlined with an undercurrent of disillusionment and a sense of futility, reflective of the mood of the era.

Section: Social Drama

Live Like Pigs is also an example of a social drama, with its focus on societal problems and their impact on individuals and communities.
It mirrors the realities of class struggle, amplifying its form by placing the ordinary and the disadvantaged at the centre of its narrative.
The linguistic style of the characters - replete with colloquialisms, regional dialects, and authentic dialogues - further strengthens the social realism of the play’s form.

Section: Character Driven Narrative

The form of Live Like Pigs relies heavily on its character-driven narrative.
Each character adds depth to the realist form of the play, offering nuanced perspectives of societal struggles.
The individual arcs and interactions of characters form a complex web that drives the plot and intensifies the social commentary inherent in the play’s form.