hybrid performance, from then to now

Recently I read the introduction to Theatre, Performance and Technology by Christopher Baugh which gave me an insight into the hybrid performances we see in theatre today. These performances have not been only recent. Theatre of 'Greek antiquity' used a mechane, that is a mechanical arm or crane, that would suspend the Gods over the action of the play. This, albeit a rather large jump, then takes us to moving scenery in later years in 'mystery and miracle plays of the middle ages'. Then, to the nineteenth century and moving towards plays of the Renaissance. All through this time technologies were developing and being used further in productions whether this be behind the scenes or, indeed, on stage. Baugh writes that the link between 'scientific discoveries, technical developments, and their presentation and use within the theatre' is 'inevitable' (p.2). This, I think, is an important observation. We are well aware that theatre represents life, and one of the reasons I believe that it is almost impossible to cut technology out of theatre, is that technology is a huge part of our lives. It would be like saying, 'let's revert to using pen and paper and get rid of computers', it simply wouldn't work. Furthering this, Baugh writes that theatre in the nineteenth century 'served as...a showground for new industrial technologies'. This shows how developments in the technological world could aid directors and scenographers in achieving a more 'realistic' background and set. This, naturally being the main aim of the scenographer, gives designers far more options in their execution of the set, thus widening the possibilities for the performance as a whole.
One of the other aspects Baugh wrote of that I found interesting was the 'laments of critics, actors and playwrights that the theatre and...audience [began to] consider scenes and special effects as more important than the dramatic literature and..work of the actor'. However, as Baugh goes on to say, scenery and special effects can be removed and the action remains, whereas if the actors were removed, there would be little to watch but moving pieces of set and elaborate effects; there would be no substance.
Thus, whilst technology aids our ability to put on stage what we wish in the most realistic form, without it there is still action. Technology only enhances our understanding of what is being presented onstage, it can never take the place of the action.

Intermediality and hybrid performance

The introduction of intermediality into theatre seems a perfectly reasonable 'next step' to take in the way of theatre, as it reflects, more realistically, our lives. After all, the aim of the theatre is to put life on the stage. Whilst some say that the introduction of intermediality will be the death of the play, seeing as the very nature of a play is that it is live media, i believe that media can enhance performance. By enabling hybrid performance and intertextuality we can bring more depth to a stageplay. We can project images and show videos on the backdrop that can enhance the audiences understanding. If not only this, the introduction of intertextuality allows us to perform in an entirely different way than we had done before, giving us a variety of different effects and a new range of tools to use. Media also allows us to, in some circumstances, discard the typical 'set' and bring in new ways of recreating and dressing the stage.
To further this, intertextuality allows a whole new way of acting. I once saw a production whereby a couple had met over the internet. This was depicted in the opening scene of the play by the backdrop being split in half. Each half represented the characters computer screen and words would be typed upon it by one character and then replied by the other character. This meant that the audience could see the characters relationship start to build before we had seen either of the actors.
To conclude, i think that intermediality etc is a positive step forward in the world of theatre. However, whilst it brings us more opportunities than ever, we must not completely forget where the line blurs and always be aware of the simplicity that a play can simply be actors on stage in nothing but a black room.

define 'performance'

Recently we were asked to consider what we thought of as a performance. I think there are many different answers to this because, to some, life is performance. I know few people who consistently stand when in a room so that people will always have their eye on him/her. People such as these have a constant awareness that whatever they do will be seen by others and thus the world is their stage. This is not to say that they do not want to be watched, often i find these are the kind of people who thrive on attention and having all eyes on them. Then we were asked if something could be considered a 'performance' if the 'actor', as it were, did not know that people were watching them. I think that you cannot define someone as 'performing' unless they are aware that they are performing, otherwise you are simply reacting to what is going on around you. I believe that for a performance to occur, someone has to know what and why it is happening. For example a planned fight in a coffee shop can still be considered a performance even though the audience were unaware that they were watching it. Just as an altercation between two people could be considered a performance even if one person is unaware that the other has fabricated the whole argument. This is a seemingly straightforward question, the connotations of which are trickier to understand than first thought

exercising the mind

i am somewhat confused as to what this is... a 'log', a web 'log', is this correct? People keep saying the word 'blog' which i presume derives from 'weblog', that is a log that is kept on the web, or a 'website' to use its full name. So this is a 'website' log. 'Log', though, being short for the word 'logbook'. So this means i am currently writing a 'website logbook'...no wonder we use abbreviations.

strike out

oh what a postal strike. can't get post. what a nightmare. i am fully aware that in the postbox down my road is 6 letters that i have posted in the last week. and there they sit until the man in his little red jacket, emerging from his little red van removes himself from the strike and collects them. but that's ok because i've got a phone and an email address, but there's nothing better than getting a letter. something coming through the door especially for you and not intended for anybody else. But i won't get any replies, because my letters aren't moving. bummer.

week in, week out

Not the busiest week at 179, Ikea played a role in the removal of 53.86 from my bank account.
Ashort trip to the bank to collect some money left me with a 45 minute wait in order for me to collect my own money from the account.

Very important business so far.