Live Theatre Production: style

Live Theatre Production: style

Theatre Styles in Live Theatre Production

  • The style of a theatre production usually refers to the method of storytelling, the staging, the performance techniques and the design aspects.
  • These typically fall into recognised genres or forms, including Realism, Absurdism, Epic Theatre, Physical Theatre, among others.
  • Each style carries its own conventions and is often connected to certain periods, cultural movements, or specific playwrights and theatre practitioners.

Realism

  • Realism is a style aiming to accurately depict life as it is. Naturalistic performances and design elements often characterise it. Stanislavski’s work is frequently associated with this theatrical style.
  • Realism often focuses on the psychological motivations of characters and aims to create the illusion of a slice of life presented on stage.

Absurdism

  • As a reaction against realism, Absurdism emerged in the mid-20th century. It is a style often described as a representation of the absurdity of human existence. Plays of this style often lack clear plot or character development and may contain illogical dialogue.
  • Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” is a classic example of Absurd Theatre.

Epic Theatre

  • Epic Theatre, associated with Bertolt Brecht, distances the audience from the action to encourage critical thinking, often using techniques such as direct address, captions and episodic narrative structure.
  • It seeks to encourage audiences to engage intellectually with the themes of the play, rather than getting emotionally involved with characters.

Physical Theatre

  • In Physical Theatre, the body is the primary means of communication, often focusing more on visual storytelling rather than dialogue.
  • This style includes mime, movement, dance, and other non-verbal theatrical forms.

Importance of Theatre Styles

  • A good understanding of different theatre styles can help us richly understand and analyse the live theatre production. It can provide insight into the director’s choices in relation to performance, design, and staging.
  • The choice of style significantly influences the audience’s interpretation of the play, the characters, and the underlying themes.

Remember, gaining a deeper knowledge and analysis of different theatrical styles allows for a richer understanding of the choices made in any live theatre production - from performance decisions to design and directorial choices.