I 've heard many times that nothing in life is constant but change. Despite this fact, we often are resistant to change. Birthing any new concept is often opposed by the masses if it changes the order of how things were. I pondered these thoughts while reading this essay. Having a limited knowledge of Peter Brook's work hindered my comprehnesion of this piece. My initial response was Brook wanted to explore African theatre after colonialism. He wanted to see how indeginous practices intertwined with western influences created a new type of theatre. It seemed he was equally excited to expose the culture to a new realm of performance. He stated, "They'll be expecting a show. We must give them some real skill." Brook seemed intrigued by the collaboration of the nigerian artist taking the spiritual/mythical aspects in conjunction with everyday life and creating theatre.
Several questions arise from the above statement. The term "real skill" is subjective. Who dictates what's considered real in the field of intercultural performance? Will there ever be one universal criteria of what theatre should be? What sound facts do we have that states this practice has not been done before? Can one truly understand this type of theatre without understanding the cultural/spiritual belief of its people?
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Jackie has some wonderful questions posted here.
The following question struck me the most "Will there ever be one universal criteria of what theatre should be?"
Will there be one? I have to ask, "Should there be?" I do agree some basic things are needed, at least 2 people are required one to watch and one to "be" whatever they want to be or do. Some may even say only one person is needed. Even rehearsing by ones self is theatre. Think about it this way. What if someone walked by while you were rehearsing. if they see you they may stop to watch.
Do we really need a full list of requirements to make a global theatre? I hope not. The point that people around the world do theatre in different ways is what makes it the same.
We perform to entertain, teach, learn, and even to feel. But to put guidelines behind that? I don't think it is needed.
Not all theatre forms will appease the masses, but there will always be an audience of some size watching.
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