Chapter 2

PETER BROOK

“Only 3 elements are necessary to create theatre.” 1. Any empty space 2. A person in action 3. Someone observing the person in action.from the book The Empty Space

All the World’s a Stage!

Theatre is everywhere. All social interactions are essentially

theatrical productions. People are always acting and reacting to

other people and outside stimuli...thus creating theatre.

Theatre as an Event

Theatre is a living, breathing, evolving organism, therefore, a particular theatrical performance can only ever happen once. The sequence of

events and dialogue may stay the same, but it is always changing.

No two experiences are ever the same for anyone. No two audiences are the same. Different emotions and events impact actors.

What’s the purpose again?

Aristotle: A safe place to experience Catharsis (the expulsion or purge of emotion).

Bertolt Brecht: Appeal to the intellect to incite social action.

Zeami: End result of contemplation.

The Audience

Theatre provides a sensory experience for the audience. It stimulates and entices on multiple levels.

Emotional stimulation Psychological stimulation Sensory perception (sometimes all 5)

Empathy and Aesthetic Distance

Empathy: Emotional identification or a sense of participation with a character. When you feel with them not just for them (sympathy)

Aesthetic distance: Psychological separation, or a sense of detachment. “The distance of art”

When have you experienced Empathy?

Aesthetic Distance

Romeo and Juliet As a viewer I understand What

is happening I likely EMPATHISE with the characters, but I do not stop the action because I am aware of the distance between reality and the stage.

Our Town

Manipulates aesthetic distance by using a Stage Manager character to comment on the action and directly address the audience?

Epic Theatre

The idea of Epic Theatre was popularized by the playwright, theorist, and director Bertolt Brecht.

Our Town