Understanding Theatre Conventions: Style

Style in the world of theatre refers to the manner in which a performance is presented to an audience. It influences the dialogue, actions, and overall drama on stage.

Common Theatre Styles

Realism: Aims for a portrayal of life as close to reality as possible, often including details of everyday living.
Naturalism: Goes a step beyond realism in searching for complete authenticity, where each prop and characteristic is painstakingly accurate to real life.
Expressionism: Focuses on portraying the emotional and psychological essence of a story, often through the use of abstract and distorted representation.
Brechtian: This style breaks the fourth wall, often addressing the audience directly. It focuses on societal narratives and thought stimulation rather than creating emotional involvement.
Physical theatre: Emphasizes the body and movement as the primary means of storytelling, often featuring less dialogue.
Epic theatre: A term coined by Bertolt Brecht, it’s characterised by episodic play structure, a clear narrative, breaking the fourth wall and strong social commentary.
Classical theatre: Refers to the enduring ancient Greek and Roman plays known for their universal themes and characters.
Absurdist theatre: Centralizes the belief that human life lacks purpose and makes no sense, often featuring illogical and random events.

Matching Style to Content

The style of presentation should align with the themes, subject matter, and intentions of the play. For example, a modern societal issue might be best presented in Brechtian style due to its emphasis on thought-provoking processes. Consider that the same storyline can be portrayed very differently depending on the style, adding a layer of interpretation and complexity.

Stylistic Elements

When analysing the style of a theatrical performance, it is vital to consider symbolism, metaphors, and representation. These stylistic elements contribute to the mood, theme, and meaning of the piece. It’s common to use a mix of styles or transition between styles throughout a performance, which can create contrasts, complicate the narrative, and emphasise themes or characters.

Ultimately, understanding the style of theatre and the conventions associated with each style can greatly aid one’s interpretation and enjoyment of theatre as an art form. Always remember, the chosen style should assist in effectively delivering the message of the play.