Is theatre the "third place"?
Mon, 17 Sept 2001, 12:36 amWalter Plinge2 posts in thread
Is theatre the "third place"?
Mon, 17 Sept 2001, 12:36 amRay Oldenburg's "Third Place":
The first place is where we live; the second place is where we work....
"Third places exist on neutral ground and serve to level their guests to a condition of social equality. Within these places, conversation is the primary activity and the major vehicle for the display and appreciation of human personality and individuality.
Third places are taken for granted and most have a low profile. Since the formal institutions of society make stronger claims upon the individual, third places are normally open in the off hours, as well as at other times.
The character of a third place is determined most of all by its regular clientele and is marked by a playful mood, which contrasts with people's more serious involvement in other spheres. Though a radically different kind of setting for a home, the third place is remarkably similar to a good home in the psychological comfort and support that it extends."
Could this include theatre?
D.M.
The first place is where we live; the second place is where we work....
"Third places exist on neutral ground and serve to level their guests to a condition of social equality. Within these places, conversation is the primary activity and the major vehicle for the display and appreciation of human personality and individuality.
Third places are taken for granted and most have a low profile. Since the formal institutions of society make stronger claims upon the individual, third places are normally open in the off hours, as well as at other times.
The character of a third place is determined most of all by its regular clientele and is marked by a playful mood, which contrasts with people's more serious involvement in other spheres. Though a radically different kind of setting for a home, the third place is remarkably similar to a good home in the psychological comfort and support that it extends."
Could this include theatre?
D.M.
Walter PlingeMon, 17 Sept 2001, 12:36 am
Ray Oldenburg's "Third Place":
The first place is where we live; the second place is where we work....
"Third places exist on neutral ground and serve to level their guests to a condition of social equality. Within these places, conversation is the primary activity and the major vehicle for the display and appreciation of human personality and individuality.
Third places are taken for granted and most have a low profile. Since the formal institutions of society make stronger claims upon the individual, third places are normally open in the off hours, as well as at other times.
The character of a third place is determined most of all by its regular clientele and is marked by a playful mood, which contrasts with people's more serious involvement in other spheres. Though a radically different kind of setting for a home, the third place is remarkably similar to a good home in the psychological comfort and support that it extends."
Could this include theatre?
D.M.
The first place is where we live; the second place is where we work....
"Third places exist on neutral ground and serve to level their guests to a condition of social equality. Within these places, conversation is the primary activity and the major vehicle for the display and appreciation of human personality and individuality.
Third places are taken for granted and most have a low profile. Since the formal institutions of society make stronger claims upon the individual, third places are normally open in the off hours, as well as at other times.
The character of a third place is determined most of all by its regular clientele and is marked by a playful mood, which contrasts with people's more serious involvement in other spheres. Though a radically different kind of setting for a home, the third place is remarkably similar to a good home in the psychological comfort and support that it extends."
Could this include theatre?
D.M.
crgwllmsMon, 17 Sept 2001, 01:32 am
RE: Is theatre the "third place"?
David Meadows wrote:
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>>the second place is where we work....
For those few of us lucky enough, that makes theatre the second place.
>>"Third places exist on neutral ground and serve to level their guests to a condition of social equality.
As much as theatre is about "the human condition", its plots and characters are rarely neutral, and neither is the relationship of performers to audience. Nor is there social equality in an industry that relies on discrimination (I wasn't cast because I can't sing/too tall/short/not pretty enough/average enough/wrong hair/face/nose/voice/am male/female/too different/too similar)
>>conversation is the primary activity
No talking in the back row, I'm trying to listen!
>>are taken for granted and most have a low profile.
Think Arts funding: definite yes!
>>determined most of all by its regular clientele
Same old faces in tonight...
>>and is marked by a playful mood, which contrasts with people's more serious involvement in other spheres.
Most people in theatre are fanatically serious about it. Playful scores a point, though.
>>the psychological comfort and support that it extends."
support for an extended family of comfortable psychos...!
>>Could this include theatre?
Pretty close, but doesn't meet all criteria. I reckon the third place (and maybe fourth and fifth place) is the pub!
See you there.
Crg
<8>-/=====/---------
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>>the second place is where we work....
For those few of us lucky enough, that makes theatre the second place.
>>"Third places exist on neutral ground and serve to level their guests to a condition of social equality.
As much as theatre is about "the human condition", its plots and characters are rarely neutral, and neither is the relationship of performers to audience. Nor is there social equality in an industry that relies on discrimination (I wasn't cast because I can't sing/too tall/short/not pretty enough/average enough/wrong hair/face/nose/voice/am male/female/too different/too similar)
>>conversation is the primary activity
No talking in the back row, I'm trying to listen!
>>are taken for granted and most have a low profile.
Think Arts funding: definite yes!
>>determined most of all by its regular clientele
Same old faces in tonight...
>>and is marked by a playful mood, which contrasts with people's more serious involvement in other spheres.
Most people in theatre are fanatically serious about it. Playful scores a point, though.
>>the psychological comfort and support that it extends."
support for an extended family of comfortable psychos...!
>>Could this include theatre?
Pretty close, but doesn't meet all criteria. I reckon the third place (and maybe fourth and fifth place) is the pub!
See you there.
Crg
<8>-/=====/---------