Art

1)      the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power

2)      the various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance

3)      a skill at doing a specified thing, typically one acquired through practice

Theatrical

1)      relating to acting, actors, or the theatre

2)      exaggerated and excessively dramatic

Presence

1)      the state or fact of existing, occurring, or being present

2)      a person or thing that exists or is present in a place but is not seen (which coincidentally also highlights the idea of absence)

3)      the impressive manner or appearance of a person

Tristan Tzara: ‘All I wanted to convey was simply that my presence on stage, the sight of my face and my movements ought to satisfy people’s curiosity’ (Govan et al, 2007, 21).  This is especially important in solo performance as the audience’s gaze is instantly directed to the one person on the stage, that of the performer.

What is Theatrical? (In my opinion)

Masks, lights, red curtains, make-up, jewellery, smoke, sound, costume, magic, spectacle, grandeur –

In doing so, does this challenge our perceptions of what theatre is or should be?

Traditionalism versus the contemporary– the mechanics of the theatre hidden

To create a wonderland, a place in which to escape

Feeling is brought to our consciousness

‘Stories and picture books all filled with wonder

Magic worlds of the impossible become the everyday’ (O’Hara, 1997).

References:

Govan, E. Nicholson, H. and K. Normington (2007) Making a Performance: Devising Histories and Contemporary Practices. Oxon: Routledge.

O’Hara, P. (1997) Stories. Beauty and the Beast Soundtrack.  [CD track] Walt Disney, USA: Walt Disney Records.