Impact of westernism? How to relate to Asian theatre?
- When we think of 'theatre' we immediately think of theatre of the western style (Greek, shakespeare, Artaud, Growtovski, Stanislavski, etc.) Whatever we considered as East, it is counted as exotic.
- Affects our culture in a way. The things we do, the things we watch and the perspectives that we have on our lives. There is then this lack of knowledge on our historical and cultural aspects of our society. There is even this question of whether Singaporeans have a culture of our own. In the inaugural Social Sciences Conference organised by the Singapore Management University (SMU) School of Social Sciences, ex-president Nathan probe the question of if we have a culture? Ex-president Nathan (2012) said that 'We have to say ‘yes I’m Chinese but I’m Singaporean, yes I’m Indian but I’m Singaporean, yes I’m Malay but I’m Singaporean.' These things override us. And it will take a long time for this Singaporean identity, this unique Singaporean identity to develop' (Para 6) It sort of apply to theatre as well. When we do our Asian theatre, we kind of include western influences, techniques, styles into it.
- Raise awareness philosophically, regionally, religiously, physically, mentally, etc. 20th century theatre burgeoning of knowledge is reflected in theatre. There is shared knowledge that raises our awareness.
- The way of speech is more westernized. As I mentioned that there will undoubtedly western influences such as speech. Hence the working of our characterization tends to be more westernized too.
- Provides a basis for us to discuss issues.
- Expression as individuals, where there is raised self-consciousness. More understanding of life. Finding more of ourselves. Eg, characterization allows us to explore and unleash our personality or hidden talents or identities. Chekhov emphasized much on characterization and transformation to take place in the theatre. Chekhov suggested that ' the desire for characterization is actually the desire for transformation.' (Chekhov, 1996: Tape 1) When we have that desire to vary character and type, we find ourselves exploring the individualities and become more aware of ourselves. A sense of individuation.
- Dislocating, which means to take me out of myself. We try our best to hang on the facts and truths. Becoming more confused. Maybe not confused but more complicated and thought provoking. But Jane ask were we not confuse before then?
- Theatre is a platform where hidden meanings and truths are found. Facts are not truth. Facts can be truths but truths are far more than just facts. Truths have a deeper meaning. Facts are tangible and visible. But truths are deeper than what we think them of. Truth is what sets us free.
- There is also this film into drama and drama into film.
- Western theatre impacted upon by the East cultures. Some of the 20th western practitioners were influenced. Eg. Artaud, Brecht, etc. They are in search for spirituality and the unconsciousness of the mind. Moving away from the using of our brains. As I have indicated in my past reflections that they intend to seek more of poetic language rather than speech language. To reach out or touch our senses before the mind.
- Opened up our minds of seeing things in different ways.
- 20th century theatre pushes us to the theatre of the future as well. Where do we see ourselves moving into? What is our future? Can we predict? What can we expect?
- There are more provocative thoughts then in the past because of the globalization, modern technology and openness that the world embraces. But at the same time, there is tighter control also to keep control and order. Tighter control means to have order? or is it to keep things from the people? Tighter control does not mean to have order and control. We may be deceived
- Involved in life. Political life takes us away from life as we see. We get smarter and more engaged in life.
- 20th century theatre is also a platform of sharing and learning where I not only learn about myself but also about other people's thinking. I see the way others see things as and I learn from them. Makes me not a selfish person.
Struggle for Hope
Interesting video on how Yo-Yo Ma plays western Bach prelude and fugue to suit the ballet dancers. He also use western music to accompany the Kabuki performer on stage. This is how Western and Eastern culture intertwined with each other. Kabuki has flow-y and fluent gestures. Filled with aesthetic elements. The beauty of it is how the performer, who is dressed as a female, uses gestures and water-like, drifting movements in their performances, never stopping. There is this constant fluent rhythm imitating spirituality(Spirits glide). The dynamics are not so sharp but rather it is gradual. It was so beautiful. It captivates the audience.
Kabuki requires alot of work. To have a successful Kabuki performance, many backstage helpers are required to change and make up the Kabuki actors, do stage settings and elaborate decors and costumes.( Pronko, 1967, Pg 114) It is through all these that the essence of beauty is there, which captivated the hearts of Artaud and many other western practitioners.
This gives me an idea to go find such videos for my presentation on Interculturalism.
Chekhov
Desire for characterisation and transformation of self on stage. Techniques are forward, simple and amusing. He utilizes mask of character that the actor creates himself and wears it on stage. We embody the character that we create and the desire to become that character.
He goes on to say that there is no equal people in life, as well as no equal in the characters that we create. Though there is same type of character, eg. (teacher, stallholder, etc. ) but all are different in their individual character. It is unique and special in varying degrees. We then start to individualise our characters on stage. Most often we find our personality and character by embodying those characters.
Chekhov
Desire for characterisation and transformation of self on stage. Techniques are forward, simple and amusing. He utilizes mask of character that the actor creates himself and wears it on stage. We embody the character that we create and the desire to become that character.
He goes on to say that there is no equal people in life, as well as no equal in the characters that we create. Though there is same type of character, eg. (teacher, stallholder, etc. ) but all are different in their individual character. It is unique and special in varying degrees. We then start to individualise our characters on stage. Most often we find our personality and character by embodying those characters.
Bibliography
Chekhov.Princeton, N.J. (1996) Film.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/common-s’pore-identity-has-yet-to-develop--former-president-nathan.html
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