On the threshold of starting preparation for our fifth production ‘After the summer’, a full length play in English, it is perhaps the right moment to look back and reflect on the question once again - why theatre?
The response to this will be diverse. Broadly categorised, the responses will have different flavours depending on whether they are coming from theatre practitioners, theatre lovers or people ambivalent to this area of performing art – admittedly there can be overlaps.
To set the ball rolling, I, as one belonging to the group of theatre practitioners, would draw your attention to the long history of theatre, its capability to attract and engage an audience through centuries, the great literary and artistic achievements attained through this medium and to its continuing capacity to question, evaluate and comment on the continually changing circumstances of human existence. However, others may argue that theatre is a dying art form, near obsolete in an audiovisual world swamped by flitting images and 'few-word captions'.
Should we question our own engagement with words and images? Is our choice being shaped by forces that are short on substance? Has our ‘need for speed’ in fact worked to our disadvantage in the field of art and its appreciation?
Are these valid questions?
My friends, I open this discussion - the first of many to follow - and invite you to share your thoughts.
The response to this will be diverse. Broadly categorised, the responses will have different flavours depending on whether they are coming from theatre practitioners, theatre lovers or people ambivalent to this area of performing art – admittedly there can be overlaps.
To set the ball rolling, I, as one belonging to the group of theatre practitioners, would draw your attention to the long history of theatre, its capability to attract and engage an audience through centuries, the great literary and artistic achievements attained through this medium and to its continuing capacity to question, evaluate and comment on the continually changing circumstances of human existence. However, others may argue that theatre is a dying art form, near obsolete in an audiovisual world swamped by flitting images and 'few-word captions'.
Should we question our own engagement with words and images? Is our choice being shaped by forces that are short on substance? Has our ‘need for speed’ in fact worked to our disadvantage in the field of art and its appreciation?
Are these valid questions?
My friends, I open this discussion - the first of many to follow - and invite you to share your thoughts.