Is it right to create ultra-violent entertainment in times such as we are living? What does it do for us? Does it serve a greater good in terms of theater? Is it irresponsible? Any musings or thoughts on my crisis of consciousness would be appreciated.
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Portland
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Re: Stage Terror in a Time of Terrorism
Wed, October 5, 2005 - 12:57 PMSorry it took so long to respond here... I hesitate to be so judgemental as to whether or not staging ultra-violent theatre in these times is 'right' or 'wrong,' because I don't think it is either. My question would be: What action do we want the audeince to take after they leave the theater?
The early plays of the Grand-Guignol genre, shocking as they may have been to the audiences of that time, where staged as a "parody of the values" and morals of the French Bourgeois (who may have been the bulk of the rue Chaptal audience base). These early productions were both a slap in the face and a tickle on the nose, challenging the ethical beliefs of the audience in an entertaining way. Anyway, whether they were gluttons for punishment or self-righteous deniers, they kept coming back for more.
Today's theatre should be irresponsible to a certain degree - it must be compelling and provoking. BTW, what exactly is "the greater good" and who decides what's best for it? -
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Re: Stage Terror in a Time of Terrorism
Fri, October 7, 2005 - 3:01 PMThat's what I was looking for. -
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Re: Stage Terror in a Time of Terrorism
Tue, June 26, 2007 - 4:31 PMThe original Grand Guignol was said to have dimmed when confornted with the horrors of WWII. But then the final show was in 62, so maybe it took a lot of petering.
My theory is that it was an antidote to the sterile morality of the Victorian era, and in the swingin 60's it just didn't work. Today, maybe we're repressed enough to enjoy a little shock, or bored enough to seek the true origin of horror entertainment?
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