http://www.londontheatreblog.co.uk/the-theatre-the-foreigner-and-i/ Group authored publication covering theatre and the performing arts in London and beyond Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:57:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.londontheatreblog.co.uk/the-theatre-the-foreigner-and-i/#comment-6550 ling Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:09:40 +0000 http://londontheatreblog.co.uk/?p=26#comment-6550 what is the name of the play? what is the name of the play?

]]> http://www.londontheatreblog.co.uk/the-theatre-the-foreigner-and-i/#comment-49 Andrew Eglinton Mon, 02 Oct 2006 14:30:10 +0000 http://londontheatreblog.co.uk/?p=26#comment-49 Brian. Excellent comment. I agree with the premise of participatory theatre and I would argue that even though the majority of audiences that go to the theatre are not performers or practioners themselves, they go because of the desire to witness their own humanity before them. In the 'traditional' proscenium theatre, the relationship between audience and actors is one of projected desire from the former to the latter. Participatory theatre brings both into dialogue, and breaks the 'gaze' we have heard so much about. In that sense it is not far off the likes of Boal's work, though granted the context and aspirations are different. I'd love to hear more of your views on the effect of particpatory theatre in practice. Thanks for stopping by. Brian. Excellent comment. I agree with the premise of participatory theatre and I would argue that even though the majority of audiences that go to the theatre are not performers or practioners themselves, they go because of the desire to witness their own humanity before them. In the ‘traditional’ proscenium theatre, the relationship between audience and actors is one of projected desire from the former to the latter. Participatory theatre brings both into dialogue, and breaks the ‘gaze’ we have heard so much about. In that sense it is not far off the likes of Boal’s work, though granted the context and aspirations are different. I’d love to hear more of your views on the effect of particpatory theatre in practice. Thanks for stopping by.

]]> http://www.londontheatreblog.co.uk/the-theatre-the-foreigner-and-i/#comment-48 Brian Mon, 02 Oct 2006 13:46:40 +0000 http://londontheatreblog.co.uk/?p=26#comment-48 The dilemma of sitting in a communal space to view a human body enacting a piece of theatre with absolutely no sense of responsibility/interest/interaction with and to those around you(minus the agitated aggression usually formed by unendorsed contact) plagues the theatre. Why can't more occur in that communal space? Can we actually feel an obligation to those around us in the dark? What is needed to ease that sense of lonliness? Easy. Interaction/Participation/Inter-participatory action with those around and those presenting. Not simply an assisting role, but a creating role. The work should be co-formed by the outside bodies and the idea makers on the inside. Give the audience a chance. A chance to make/create/live in the work makes for different experiences unique to every individual every time. Individual experiences shared throughout the anonymous mass, uniting them with the material and with each other. Give the audience what they want, stimulation - activity - control, then you have an audience who will come back. The dilemma of sitting in a communal space to view a human body enacting a piece of theatre with absolutely no sense of responsibility/interest/interaction with and to those around you(minus the agitated aggression usually formed by unendorsed contact) plagues the theatre. Why can’t more occur in that communal space? Can we actually feel an obligation to those around us in the dark? What is needed to ease that sense of lonliness?
Easy. Interaction/Participation/Inter-participatory action with those around and those presenting. Not simply an assisting role, but a creating role. The work should be co-formed by the outside bodies and the idea makers on the inside. Give the audience a chance. A chance to make/create/live in the work makes for different experiences unique to every individual every time. Individual experiences shared throughout the anonymous mass, uniting them with the material and with each other. Give the audience what they want, stimulation – activity – control, then you have an audience who will come back.

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