What’s the Point?

Rehearsals, make up, stage movements, direction, live sound synchronization and what not? But what’s the point? Is theatre really required? As we step into next generation with so much progress in the field of media, certain people still try to retrospect and get theatre back into our modern society. Why? Is theatre really a good business, financially? Does theatre bring in enough fame compared to our TV stars? Or is theatre a new found passion of people?

The answer is NO. Theatre is considered as a struggle by a common man against society’s iniquity, theatre is a way of expression to the eternal world; theatre is the only medium which speaks about integrity. History books take us back to a very interesting story which speaks about the origin of theatre during the Greek period.
There were three types of drama composed in the city of Athens; Tragedy, Comedy and Satire. The origins of Athenian tragedy and comedy are far from clear, but they began as (and continued to be) a part of the celebrations of the god Dionysus, which were held once a year. Every year three authors were chosen to write three dramas. All the plays were played in the Dionysos theatre in Athens, and the best author for both tragedy and comedy was chosen.

As time evolved, the dramas of medieval period concentrated more on vernacular languages of Europe from religious enactments of the liturgy. Mystery plays were presented on the porch of the cathedrals or by strolling players on Feast days, which evolved into tragic and comic forms, depending on the theme. The first truly secular plays in Europe were historical plays, celebrating the lives of historical or legendary kings; these combined the functions of entertainment and propaganda.

These brief facts leave us with a small hint that Theatre/ Drama was started purely for entertainment purposes, but as we advance into the medieval period, theatre was considered as an outlet to express feelings. Love, lust, anger, jealousy, madness, laughter and struggle, with so many expressions hidden and suppressed, common man wanted a vent though which he could pump out all his expressions. He used theatre to do it.

As we turn the pages of history and come towards the closing of 18th century, theatre had slowly evolved into a platform for revolution, legendary warriors, freedom fighters and revolutionaries who used theatre as a means of public platform to propagate their views, ideas and vision.

Theatre today has a unique ability, allowing us to witness and experience another person’s feelings or to sense a situation that we would not normally encounter such as, being a General in a war. This is what makes drama a useful way of teaching, learning and growing as a person. Drama has a holistic way of teaching people. Whether it be in a play or by partaking in a virtual situation, participants learn through interactions with others — this allows participants to not only learn facts as they would from a book or in a classroom, but to enter the world of another person, to be allowed to explore how they feel about this situation or person. Every interaction with another character or situation gives a greater understanding of what is happening around us.

Theatre brings a whole new meaning to our lives, a brand new imagination and thinking; it allows us to enter that virtual world that no other medium dares to venture. Drama is a living, breathing art form. Actors are placed on stage, so that they can breathe life into the characters that have been created by the playwrights; this is what no other entertainment medium offers.

Very evidently, in today’s world, Drama Therapy is often considered an effective treatment for people who have had severe emotional and psychological problems.
From being an entertainment factor to today’s drama therapy, theatre has been part and parcel of every one’s life. As William Shakespeare quoted “Life is a stage and people are mere actors”, theatre has evolved itself from an entertainment platform to a passion.

Today theatre is practiced to bring the lost culture into light, to lift it up amidst the waves of technology, to bring in a new revolution, to create a new platform where people can showcase their hidden talents. Theatre today is set to bring back its lost glory, to induce the power of theatre in people. Theatre is believed to be a “humble man’s struggle” against increasing injustice, poverty and illiteracy.

Fundamentally, it’s in our own hands to bring back our lost tool, our lost platform and passion instead of merely asking the question, “What’s the point?”

Tags: Columns, History, Theatre

Category: Abhi Speaks, Columns