Assessment 1

1. As it is hard to pinpoint what physical theatre is, it is feasible to identify the key features of physical theatre, and they are predominantly a combination of dance and drama, but without the aesthetics, codes and conventions of that are traditionally linked with drama and dance as individual performing art forms.

There is however, a definitive distinction between stylised movements used in dance as opposed to the more generalised, pedestrian movements that can derive from just everyday observations in physical theatre. Even the simplest of actions, ie:- Walking, Waving, Running, Eating, Smiling, Jumping etc can connote many things and lead into various different possibilities that can explored, whether within a relationship or in a group entity.

Physical theatre is about reacting on impulses. It’s about not needing a set narrative already put in place, but a reactive factor of combining those pedestrian movements that are less developed, but enhanced further by being characterised through the acting element of physical theatre, and allowing for a natural narrative to derive and flow. Having a set narrative can restrict you in what you do and what you feel you can do or where you can go, where as the idea of the ‘play’ element allows for you to experiment new ways to move, lift, and react to the action around you, giving that freedom of letting the narrative follow on from the story/relationship you’re creating, which then develops a set structure itself as opposed to fitting to a pre-determined concept/motif.

In terms of the acting element that is brought to physical theatre, the theatrical tension is enough and in this physical theatre genre it is very common for there to be little or no aural content, as words are literal, whereas the body is a language to itself and speaks volumes, however facial expressions emphasises the physical expression and just enhance the tension even further.

2. I think that what Sanchez-Colberg means by this is, is that physical theatre will always need the dance and theatre elements to combine to compliment each other to create physical. ‘It is precisely this double current of influences which needs to be taken into consideration in any attempt to delineate specific parameters of the new genre’. And to a degree, I agree with this, but I don’t think that physical theatre should be made to fit problems, or challenge society as I feel that eradicates what physical theatre is about, as its about instinctive action, gestures and developing gestures which can mould a character you become, as I think in as much as dialogue isn’t a focal point in physical theatre, dance as a component isn’t enough to convey a single identity or even in a neutrality circumstance, the unified quality that brings within physical theatre. And that the acting element does give that added intensity between the narrative and without it, but I think physical theatre is more about the risk element and the ability to explore freely emotions through the body but without it being about aesthetics, the impulsive nature of the movement is captivating enough to see. And I think just feeling that urge, reacting on that natural first instinct, or sensing that the moment is right for you to move into a space or connect with someone else in that space. All of this can be achieved from just the most basic of gestures and movements.

4dr are a company I’ve recently come across, but from looking on what they’re about, the inspirations that have influenced the company are similar to the type of physical theatre interested in, however they are very comical based in as much as they are very dance orientated and I think that’s why I like them, because its not a combination I’ve seen before and enjoyed. They have a clear concrete concept of what physical theatre is for them and that is clearly evident in they’re work.
‘Physical Theatre is a crossover between dance and drama where many forms of performance take shape. Many physical styles of theatre such as mime, Commedia dell'Arte, slap-stick, clowning etc can be categorised as physical theatre. Any movement-driven theatre can also be called Physical Theatre.’



Bibliography

http://www.4dr.co.uk/whatis.php

http://www.blackfishacademy.com/physical.htm

http://www.franticassembly.co.uk/p105.html

http://www.physicaltheatre.com/main/index.asp


Keefe, J & Murray, S (2007). Physical Theatres: A Critical Reader. London: Routledge.

Sandy Pooni