- ''For other usages see Theatre (disambiguation)
Theatre or
theater (Greek "theatron", "θέατρον") is the branch of the
performing arts concerned with
acting out stories in front of an audience using combinations of speech, gesture, music, dance, sound and spectacle — indeed any one or more elements of the other performing arts. In addition to the standard narrative dialogue style, theatre takes such forms as
opera,
ballet,
mime,
kabuki,
classical Indian dance,
Chinese opera,
mummers' plays, and
pantomime.
Overview of theatre
"
Drama" (literally translated,
Action, from a verbal root meaning "I do") is that branch of theatre in which speech, either from written text (
plays), or
improvised is paramount. "
Musical theatre" is a form of theatre combining
music,
songs,
dance routines, and spoken
dialogue. However, theatre is more than just what one sees on
stage. Theatre involves an entire world behind the scenes that creates the costumes, sets and lighting to make the overall effect interesting. There is a particularly long tradition of
political theatre, intended to educate audiences on contemporary issues and encourage social change. Various creeds,
Catholicism for instance, have built upon the entertainment value of theatre and created (for example)
passion plays,
mystery plays and
morality plays.
There is an enormous variety of philosophies, artistic processes, and theatrical approaches to creating plays and drama. Some are connected to political or spiritual ideologies, and some are based on purely "artistic" concerns. Some processes focus on a story, some on theatre as an event, some on theatre as a catalyst for social change. According to Aristotle's seminal theatrical critique Poetics, there are six elements necessary for theatre. They are Plot, Character, Idea, Language, Song, and Spectacle. The 17th-century Spanish writer Lope de Vega wrote that for theatre one needs "three boards, two actors, and one passion". Others notable for their contribution to theatrical philosophy are Konstantin Stanislavski, Antonin Artaud, Bertolt Brecht, Orson Welles, Peter Brook, Jerzy Grotowski.
More on
[ Theatre ]
BBC News | Europe | World EditionRussia faces fresh condemnation Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:13:38 -0000
Seven of the world's top industrialised nations deplore Russia's decision to recognise Georgia's breakaway regions.
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As many as 71 African migrants drown after their boat sinks in the Mediterranean Sea, their companions tell Maltese police.
Oslo trial for Bosnia war suspect Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:12:25 -0000
A Bosnian-born man pleads not guilty in Norway's first war crimes trial since the end of World War II.
NYT > EuropeRussia Adopts Blustery Tone Set by Envoy Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:43:59 -0000
Russia’s representative to NATO, Dmitri O. Rogozin, often derided for his forceful style, is now taken more seriously.
NATO Ships in Black Sea Raise Alarms in Russia Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:03:39 -0000
Russian commanders said they were growing alarmed at the number of NATO warships sailing into the Black Sea.
Fifth Arrest in Suspected Plot Against British Leaders Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:42:48 -0000
Police investigating a suspected conspiracy to assassinate Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his predecessor, Tony Blair, arrested a 29-year-old man, the fifth arrest in two weeks.
L.A. Times - Europe
Spanish town blushes with annual tomato fight Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:43:00 -0700
Spanish revelers have pelted each with 113 tons of ripe tomatoes in an annual food fight.
Georgia looks for the silver lining Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Despite devastating losses from the war with Russia, leaders think the West now sees Moscow's true colors and will redouble support.
Many of this small onetime Soviet republic's most dreaded nightmares have come, suddenly, to pass.
West struggles to counter Moscow's move Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The Kremlin's speedy recognition of the independence of two breakaway republics of Georgia puts pressure on the U.S. and allies to come up with ways to punish Russia.
The Bush administration and its European allies, stung by Russia's formal recognition of two separatist Georgian enclaves, faced new pressure Tuesday to strike back diplomatically and politically against the Kremlin's widening move to assert its power in the Caucasus.
UN News Centre - EuropeIn Zaragoza, UN spotlights use of nuclear technology to protect water resources Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The United Nations agency tasked with promoting safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies will be showcasing its efforts to protect the world's water resources at a major exhibition currently being held in the Spanish city of Zaragoza.
Former staffer at UN's Balkans war crimes tribunal facing contempt charges Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
A former prosecution spokesperson at the United Nations war crimes tribunal set up to deal with the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s was today charged with contempt of court for allegedly disclosing confidential information relating to the case of Slobodan Miloević.
Resolving Georgian crisis may be harder after Russian move - Ban Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The question of recognition of States is a matter for sovereign States to decide, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today after Russia announced that it had recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, two separatist regions in Georgia.
Europe - International Herald TribuneNATO ships cause alarm in MoscowBy ANDREW KRAMER Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:41:53 -0000
Russian commanders said they were growing alarmed at the number of NATO warships sailing into the Black Sea, conceding that NATO vessels now outnumbered the ships in their fleet anchored off the western coast of Georgia.
Russia's NATO envoy, big on bluster, modifies his toneBy Clifford J. Levy Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:51:31 -0000
Dimitri Rogozin of Russia is a charismatic orator with a rascally sense of humor, once a nationalist who hung pictures of Stalin on the wall. But he is not sounding so extreme any more.
Russia backs independence of Georgian enclavesBy Clifford J. Levy Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:57:37 -0000
Russia formally recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in a challenge to the West.
British police investigate murder plot against BrownBy ALAN COWELL Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:41:53 -0000
Police investigating a suspected conspiracy to assassinate Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his predecessor, Tony Blair, arrested a 29-year-old man in central England.
Museum head apologizes for treatment of woman wearing Islamic veil Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:41:53 -0000
The episode, which has kindled controversy in the Italian media and arguments between politicians, occurred Sunday in a Venetian museum.
Swiss government opposes ban on minarets Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:41:53 -0000
The government said the proposal would violate human rights and the Constitution.
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