''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

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"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 ]

New Zealand Herald - Arts

Review : Bombshells at Musgrove Studio
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +1200
All plays require a successful marriage of performer, direction, design and playwright, but for a one-person play it is even more crucial that all elements are in place. With just one person on stage there is no way to hide a substandard...
Award for artist with keen eye for human suffering
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +1200
An artist obsessed with themes of domestic violence, horror movies and sport has won the main prize in this year's Wallace Art Awards. Richard Lewer, a New Zealander based in Melbourne, received the award, valued at more than $38,000...
Light as a tonne of feathers
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:00:00 +1200
Michael Hurst doesn't look like Michael Hurst. The mere addition of a moustache has altered his entire physiognomy by ageing him and making him appear heavier. As soon as he swaps a pair of nondescript polyester pants and business...
Clouds, wounds and a hypnotic siren
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +1200
Massey University academic Greg Clydesdale has copped a huge amount of flak since he published a report in May claiming Pacific Island immigrants were a drain on the economy. It has been widely scorned, and this week Race Relations...
Review: NZSO National Youth Orchestra at Auckland Town Hall
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +1200
Judging by Saturday's turnout, Aucklanders are realising that the NZSO National Youth Orchestra's annual visit is an event not to be missed. Ninety-six of the country's finest young musicians, under the inspirational Jacques Lacombe,...
A master of amazing music
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sat, 30 Aug 2008 05:00:00 +1200
Two weeks ago, James Ehnes was playing Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. This Thursday he picks up the concerto again with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and reveals just what it takes to...
Getting to the core of the concept
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +1200
You don't have to go and see it; you just have to know it is there. Perched on a stand inside a case at the Sue Crockford Gallery is a bright red perfect apple. This is a concept apple, an apple as everyone sees it in his or her imagination....
Renovation to move 'Mountain Fountain'
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +1200
Sculptor Terry Stringer says goodbye for now to his so-called "Mountain Fountain" in Aotea Square as Auckland City Council prepares for a two-year renovation project. The fountain, which has been a magnet for skateboarders for...
Art gallery listings
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +1200
Auckland Art Gallery/New Gallery Earth Matters, to Sep 28 Auckland Museum Encompass Auckland photography, to Oct 3; Secrets Revealed, to Jan; Auckland Domain Aesthete Gallery Christina Conrad, Sep 2-23; 251 Parnell Rd,...

New Zealand Herald - Gossip

Is the political stage the right place for a celebrity?
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:52:39 +1200
Last month Madonna hit the stage in Cardiff, kicking off her Sticky and Sweet world tour using background video montage pictures comparing US presidential candidate John McCain to tyrant Adolf Hitler and Zimbabwean dictator...
'I do have a job', says Prince William's girlfriend
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:41:39 +1200
LONDON - Prince William's girlfriend Kate Middleton says she has a full-time job and is not merely waiting around for a royal marriage proposal. The 26-year-old has been working for her parents' multi-million pound party accessories...
David Beckham wears 'mystical' sex beads
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:38:36 +1200
David Beckham has been wearing a mystical necklace to improve his sex life. The Los Angeles Galaxy soccer star - who is married to former Spice Girls singer Victoria - wears the libido boosting beads around his wrist. The necklace,...

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