The use of popular theatre to overcome community development problems in underdeveloped countries through adult education is introduced and its relationship to the concept of participatory research is explored. Material is arranged in four sections. The first of these presents an introduction to popular theatre and participatory research. Stemming from a highly successful experimental program in northern Botswana, popular theatre is described as an adult education method in which a variety of different kinds of performance (drama, puppetry, songs, and dance) are used to engage people in more active and more aware participation in community affairs. Participatory research is described as a method of social investigation also involving full participation of the community, an educational process, and a means of taking action for a country's development. In the second section, the development of popular theatre is further discussed. An examination of the popular theatre process includes examples of initial research in which information is gathered in order to identify issues and problems and provide local detail for dramatizing them. The third section focuses on problems and issues in popular theatre, including participation, effectiveness, social and political context, and the role of outsiders. The final section compares popular theatre and participatory research, noting parallels between the two. The document concludes with appendices listing examples of social issues (general, agricultural, health, and education) faced by two Botswana communities. (LH)