Why do we need theatre?
Fri, 15 June 2001, 01:46 pmrenee7 posts in thread
Why do we need theatre?
Fri, 15 June 2001, 01:46 pmMy name is Renee, and I am studying Drama as part of the HSC. For my individual project in this subject, I will be doing a research report, which will focus on the research of theatre itself, and on the question "Why do we need theatre?"I was wondering anyone would be interested in answering some questions, as I am looking at gaining a broad perspective, from a range of people, in a range of fields. These questions would include:
What is theatre?
What is it's purpose?
What do we value about theatre?
How is it affected by film and TV?
Is Film and TV a form of theatre? Why or why not?
Is sport theatre? How does this effect live theatre?
How is theatre surviving in the 21st Century?
How do you get more people to see it?
If there is anyone out there who'd be interested in answering these questions, I'd really appreciate it!!
Thanks!
P.S. You can be completley honest - I'd really like to know what you think!
What is theatre?
What is it's purpose?
What do we value about theatre?
How is it affected by film and TV?
Is Film and TV a form of theatre? Why or why not?
Is sport theatre? How does this effect live theatre?
How is theatre surviving in the 21st Century?
How do you get more people to see it?
If there is anyone out there who'd be interested in answering these questions, I'd really appreciate it!!
Thanks!
P.S. You can be completley honest - I'd really like to know what you think!
RE: Why do we need theatre?- let me tell you
Fri, 15 June 2001, 11:01 pmWalter Plinge
Renee,
You brave impetuous soul you!! This must be one of the most problematic questions you could ask- not so much for the nature of the question itself, more for the nature of the people who can answer it.
I trust you took great interest in the recent broadcast of Richard Eyre's quite marvellous "Changing Stages" programme on the good ol' penniless ABC recently. It may have answered some of your questions with great eloquence.
So...
What is theatre?
To me, theatre is the presentation/depiction/reenactment/foretelling of a precise moment of real time.
What is it's purpose?
Principally, to entertain. But on a deeper level, to mirror who we as a culture are/were/will be.
What do we value about theatre?
Its absolute reality. Everything onstage happens in front of the audience in REAL TIME, with REAL PEOPLE sweating REAL SWEAT.
How is it affected by film and TV?
Its market share is significantly reduced.
Is Film and TV a form of theatre? Why or why not?
A crude form- but one may argue that there is no PURE form of theatre left.
Is sport theatre?
No. A live game of any sport does not last past its first and only "performance". Theatre extends itself for as long as the play is performed- by other players. No FA Cup final will ever be re-created in tribute to the original. But a play can exist for as long as people wish to bring it to life.
How is theatre surviving in the 21st Century?
With great difficulty.
How do you get more people to see it?
Gunpoint to be honest. The "public" will hopefully see that theatre is not a museum of literature relics, and that it does live and breathe with its audience. But for this we need NEW WORKS that actually SPEAK to their prospective audience, not Govt-funded arty-wanky TRIPE that speaks to the minority of cretins who'd pay money to witness the 458th revival of "The Sound of Music on Ice- now with added Disney characters".
But that is an issue unto itself...
Regards,
Eliot.
ps- I agree with BIG AL; Go see Blak Yak's "Amadeus" at KPAC. But hten, I am biased....
You brave impetuous soul you!! This must be one of the most problematic questions you could ask- not so much for the nature of the question itself, more for the nature of the people who can answer it.
I trust you took great interest in the recent broadcast of Richard Eyre's quite marvellous "Changing Stages" programme on the good ol' penniless ABC recently. It may have answered some of your questions with great eloquence.
So...
What is theatre?
To me, theatre is the presentation/depiction/reenactment/foretelling of a precise moment of real time.
What is it's purpose?
Principally, to entertain. But on a deeper level, to mirror who we as a culture are/were/will be.
What do we value about theatre?
Its absolute reality. Everything onstage happens in front of the audience in REAL TIME, with REAL PEOPLE sweating REAL SWEAT.
How is it affected by film and TV?
Its market share is significantly reduced.
Is Film and TV a form of theatre? Why or why not?
A crude form- but one may argue that there is no PURE form of theatre left.
Is sport theatre?
No. A live game of any sport does not last past its first and only "performance". Theatre extends itself for as long as the play is performed- by other players. No FA Cup final will ever be re-created in tribute to the original. But a play can exist for as long as people wish to bring it to life.
How is theatre surviving in the 21st Century?
With great difficulty.
How do you get more people to see it?
Gunpoint to be honest. The "public" will hopefully see that theatre is not a museum of literature relics, and that it does live and breathe with its audience. But for this we need NEW WORKS that actually SPEAK to their prospective audience, not Govt-funded arty-wanky TRIPE that speaks to the minority of cretins who'd pay money to witness the 458th revival of "The Sound of Music on Ice- now with added Disney characters".
But that is an issue unto itself...
Regards,
Eliot.
ps- I agree with BIG AL; Go see Blak Yak's "Amadeus" at KPAC. But hten, I am biased....