“Although scholars disagree on a definition, we may define ‘popular’ theatre as stage entertainment that appeals to cross class audiences in complex societies through commercial means.” (Zarrilli et al, Theatre Histories, 2006, pg 311).Given disagreement

Name

Instructor 's name

Course

Date

THEATRE ART

Introduction

Zarrilli mentioned that Although scholars disagree on a definition , we may define `popular ' theatre as stage entertainment that appeals to cross class audiences in complex societies through commercial means (Zarrilli et al , Theatre Histories , 2006 , pg 311 ) In this context it could be stated that a theatre is a stage where the actor and actress perform their characters according to the director script is written But the acting on the stage and especially in front of the audience is

more difficult rather than performing on the back stage . There is whole lot of difference between a normal theatre and a popular theatre because rather than the culture mimic and mirror it also shows disagreement for the spectators with not a single question to answer but actually gives a reflection to the audience to find the answer . Popular theatre is nothing like that , what we see on television or theatre , where the actor and actress are performing a masterpiece , but here it is only to perform and realise the situation of the script and play a stage role in a very simple manner so that everyone can understand . However , in this context it would be relevant to mention that melodrama , folk drama festivals , calendar celebrations such as Christmas , Easter , the harvest festival and Halloween , carnivals , clowns , reality TV as examples of popular theatre

Discussion

While placing a role in front of a viewer popular theatre should tell a story and also bring a concern to the community around the issue . The content should be a potential one and it should be a theatre as a rehearsal of life ' so that the visitors can overcome the fears of mind and can build a self reliance among them selves . The act should be intense , so that the audience gets encourage and they should have the ideas without any hesitation in mind . Thus from this view point events like melodrama , folk drama , festivals , calendar celebrations such as Christmas , Easter , the harvest festival and Halloween , carnivals clowns , reality TV well blends into the parameter of popular theatre Now , for the presentation it requires some time and with the chosen form of communication it can be done very quickly and easily . Sometimes the local people carry out the expenses making the production cost low Another important part of popular theatre is to organize a very few people who have a very good understanding among themselves so that they can make their own decisions and participate to do the work (Berkowitz 189

An illustration of a case study would help in this context . Take for example `Kissa Kursi Ka (Trans : Tale of Throne , Directed by former parliamentarian Amrit Nahata , that originated as a folk drama , was a controversial Indian play . The plot revolved around a corrupt and evil politician , Utpal Dutt , trying to woo personified public , Shabana Azmi It talked about evil politicians running after the ministerial throne to do anything and everything to get the so called...