Difference between revisions of "Poor Theatre"
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| − | Poor Theatre is a term created in the 20th century to refer to | + | [[Poor Theatre]] is a term created in the 20th century to refer to a specific kind of minimalist theatre practice, notably in ''avant garde'' and progressive artistic circles. |
| − | = | + | == [[Poor Theatre]] as concept == |
| − | A concept deriving from the work and theories of the influential Polish theatre practitioner Jerzy Grotowski (notably his collected essays published as ''Towards a Poor Theatre'' in | + | A concept deriving from the work and theories of the influential Polish theatre practitioner Jerzy Grotowski (notably his collected essays published as ''Towards a Poor Theatre'' in 1968) and his friend and mentor [[Peter Brook]] (''The Open Space'' and the preface to ''Towards a Poor Theatre''). |
| + | The notion was first suggested by Ludwik Flaszen to describe the fundamental characteristics of Grotowski’s performances beginning with Akropolis, but later expanded in the writings of Grotowski himself. | ||
== [[Poor Theatre]] in South Africa == | == [[Poor Theatre]] in South Africa == | ||
| − | In the protest period (1972-1989) the notion became of prime importance in the formation of what one may call the “South African theatre aesthetic”, though the interpretation of the term in South Africa is often far more literal than intended by Grotowski or Brook. Grotowsky’s notion of “poverty” essentially meant the casting off of external frippery and a intense focus on the expressive possibilities of the human body and an explication of the core images of the play. Often in South Africa it is simplistically seen as a play without set or costumes, performed in inadequate venues – i.e. as cheap theatre or theatre by people without resources | + | In the protest period (1972-1989) the notion became of prime importance in the formation of what one may call the “South African theatre aesthetic”, though the interpretation of the term in South Africa is often far more literal than intended by Grotowski or Brook. Grotowsky’s notion of “poverty” essentially meant the casting off of external frippery and a intense focus on the expressive possibilities of the human body and an explication of the core images of the play. Often in South Africa it is simplistically seen as a play without set or costumes, performed in inadequate venues – i.e. as cheap theatre or theatre by people without resources. |
| − | + | However, much of the best experimental work of groups linked to [[Athol Fugard]], [[Barney Simon]], [[Mbongeni Ngema]], [[Nicholas Ellenbogen]], [[Maishe Maponya]], [[Dawie Malan]], [[Mavis Taylor]], [[Chris Pretorius]], [[Andrew Buckland]], [[Mark Fleishman]] and others do tap into Grotowski’s central idea. Possibly the best, and certainly the most famous, South African example remains ''[[Woza Albert!]]'' and Barney Simon's experimental work at the [[Market Theatre]] over the years. | |
| − | =Return to= | + | Much of the later work produced by the general [[Physical theatre|physical theatre]] movement could also possibly be linked to this philosophy. |
| + | |||
| + | ==Sources== | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Peter Brook]]. 1978. ''The Empty Space''. Harmondsworth, [[Penguin]] Publishers. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Jerzy Grotowski]]. 1969. ''Towards A Poor Theatre''. London, [[Methuen]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | https://grotowski.net/en/encyclopedia/poor-theatre | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Return to== | ||
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Themes|South African Theatre Terminology and Thematic Entries]] | Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Themes|South African Theatre Terminology and Thematic Entries]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[South_African_Venues,_Companies,_Societies,_etc]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[The ESAT Entries]] | ||
Return to [[Main Page]] | Return to [[Main Page]] | ||
Latest revision as of 06:46, 16 March 2025
Poor Theatre is a term created in the 20th century to refer to a specific kind of minimalist theatre practice, notably in avant garde and progressive artistic circles.
Poor Theatre as concept
A concept deriving from the work and theories of the influential Polish theatre practitioner Jerzy Grotowski (notably his collected essays published as Towards a Poor Theatre in 1968) and his friend and mentor Peter Brook (The Open Space and the preface to Towards a Poor Theatre).
The notion was first suggested by Ludwik Flaszen to describe the fundamental characteristics of Grotowski’s performances beginning with Akropolis, but later expanded in the writings of Grotowski himself.
Poor Theatre in South Africa
In the protest period (1972-1989) the notion became of prime importance in the formation of what one may call the “South African theatre aesthetic”, though the interpretation of the term in South Africa is often far more literal than intended by Grotowski or Brook. Grotowsky’s notion of “poverty” essentially meant the casting off of external frippery and a intense focus on the expressive possibilities of the human body and an explication of the core images of the play. Often in South Africa it is simplistically seen as a play without set or costumes, performed in inadequate venues – i.e. as cheap theatre or theatre by people without resources.
However, much of the best experimental work of groups linked to Athol Fugard, Barney Simon, Mbongeni Ngema, Nicholas Ellenbogen, Maishe Maponya, Dawie Malan, Mavis Taylor, Chris Pretorius, Andrew Buckland, Mark Fleishman and others do tap into Grotowski’s central idea. Possibly the best, and certainly the most famous, South African example remains Woza Albert! and Barney Simon's experimental work at the Market Theatre over the years.
Much of the later work produced by the general physical theatre movement could also possibly be linked to this philosophy.
Sources
Peter Brook. 1978. The Empty Space. Harmondsworth, Penguin Publishers.
Jerzy Grotowski. 1969. Towards A Poor Theatre. London, Methuen.
https://grotowski.net/en/encyclopedia/poor-theatre
Go to ESAT Bibliography
Return to
Return to South African Theatre Terminology and Thematic Entries
Return to South_African_Venues,_Companies,_Societies,_etc
Return to The ESAT Entries
Return to Main Page
