What do you expect to get from the theatre?
The reason people go to the theatre or what they expect to get out of a theatrical performance differs from individual to individual. Factors such as geography, culture, religion, and philosophy have an effect on what it is an individual is looking for. In The Shawl, Miss A went to John looking for something specific. Not everyone who goes to a person in the same line of work as John is in do so for the same reason as Miss A did. The same can be said for an audience of theatre. Not everyone in the audience is present for the same reason. Some use theatre as an escape from reality or their everyday life. Others might use it to relax or even to learn something new; about a certain culture or a certain period in time.
In answering the questions what is theatre for and what can it provide, I believe it is important to realize the potential power that theatre has. Theatre as a whole can be a conservative force and “can reinforce the status quo”. It can also release social tensions or even lead to social upheaval. Theatre is a place for the free exchange of ideas. Communist governments have even realized the power of the theatre and in the past have gone to extreme measures in its attempts to censor or filter.
So what does one expect to gain from the theatre? The reasons differ from person to person and culture to culture. The Greeks initially used theatre as a way to worship the god Dionysus.
Labels: Brad Jones
posted by Brad @ 9:59 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
You have some interesting ideas. I agree with your idea that a variety of factors have made the reason for attending theatre different among different among individuals and cultures. Geography has significant effects upon ones reason for attending theatre, though I would like to add more to your definition. Geography separates various groups of people by great distances. These distances make it difficult for ideas to spread between groups of people, hence leading to the development of distinct cultures over time, with their own reasons for attending theatre.
You have some interesting ideas. I agree with your idea that a variety of factors have made the reason for attending theatre different among different among individuals and cultures. Geography has significant effects upon ones reason for attending theatre, though I would like to add more to your definition. Geography separates various groups of people by great distances. These distances make it difficult for ideas to spread between groups of people, hence leading to the development of distinct cultures over time, with their own reasons for attending theatre.
I found you comment that people may attend theatre to learn more about a particular culture or time period interesting because of inaccurate depictions of historical and cultural events in plays/films. Do you think that producers/directors/writers have an ethical obligation to portray events and cultures accurately? I would argue that they do, especially since the population is more likely to watch a play or movie than read a history book on a Friday night. I am not saying that details cannot be changed. For example, the original Grease had no African American actors because of discrimination during that time, but I think stage productions can legitimately have African American characters without it detracting from the piece. However, overall I think historical and cultural accuracy is necessary.
I do think that directors should not completely change an historical event, but it's important to remember that people go see movies in order to be entertained. Directors realize this and know that they need to do what it takes to make a movie a money maker, while at the same time trying to not upset those that do know the history of what the movie is covering. It is a delicate balancing act. I feel that most audience members know not to trust Hollywood to accurately portray history. If they did, then what would be the difference between what you pay to see in a movie theatre from a show on the History Channel.
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