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Performance Theatre and the Poetics of Failure: Routledge Advances in Theatre

Reed Mitchell

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Published in Performance Theatre And The Poetics Of Failure (Routledge Advances In Theatre And Perfo)

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Performance theatre is a form of theatre that emphasizes the live experience and the interaction between the performers and the audience. It often involves non-traditional performance spaces and techniques, and may explore themes of identity, politics, and social commentary.

Performance Theatre and the Poetics of Failure (Routledge Advances in Theatre and Perfo)

by Sara Jane Bailes

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The poetics of failure is a concept that has been explored in performance theatre in recent years. This concept suggests that failure can be a productive force in artistic practice, and that it can lead to new insights and discoveries.

In this article, we will explore the relationship between performance theatre and the poetics of failure. We will discuss how failure can be used as a tool for artistic experimentation and innovation, and how it can lead to new ways of understanding the world.

The Poetics of Failure

The poetics of failure is a concept that has been explored in various disciplines, including literature, philosophy, and art. In the context of performance theatre, failure can be seen as a way of challenging conventional norms and expectations.

By embracing failure, performance artists can open themselves up to new possibilities and ways of thinking. They can experiment with different forms and techniques, and they can explore themes that may be considered taboo or controversial.

Failure can also be a way of connecting with the audience on a deeper level. By sharing their failures, performance artists can show that they are human and relatable, and they can create a sense of community with their audience.

Performance Theatre and the Poetics of Failure

Performance theatre is a particularly fertile ground for the exploration of the poetics of failure. This is because performance theatre is inherently ephemeral and unpredictable. Anything can happen during a live performance, and there is no guarantee of success.

This unpredictability can be a source of anxiety for performers, but it can also be a source of creative inspiration. By embracing the possibility of failure, performance artists can free themselves from the constraints of perfectionism and open themselves up to new possibilities.

There are many different ways that failure can be used in performance theatre. Some artists may choose to stage performances that are intentionally designed to fail. Others may use failure as a way to explore specific themes or ideas.

For example, the performance artist Marina Abramović has created a number of works that explore the themes of endurance and vulnerability. In her work "The Artist is Present," she sat silently in a gallery for several hours each day, inviting visitors to sit across from her and make eye contact.

This work was a huge success, but it also involved a great deal of risk. Abramović had to sit still for hours on end, and she was vulnerable to the reactions of the audience. However, she was willing to embrace the possibility of failure, and this allowed her to create a powerful and moving work of art.

The Benefits of Failure

There are many benefits to embracing failure in performance theatre. Failure can help artists to:

Challenge conventional norms and expectations
Experiment with different forms and techniques
Explore themes that may be considered taboo or controversial
Connect with the audience on a deeper level
Learn from their mistakes
Develop new insights and discoveries

Failure is not always easy, but it can be a valuable tool for artistic growth and development. By embracing failure, performance artists can open themselves up to new possibilities and ways of thinking.

Performance theatre is a powerful and dynamic art form that can be used to explore a wide range of themes and ideas. The poetics of failure is a particularly fruitful area of exploration for performance artists, as it allows them to challenge conventional norms and expectations, experiment with different forms and techniques, and explore themes that may be considered taboo or controversial.

By embracing failure, performance artists can open themselves up to new possibilities and ways of thinking. They can learn from their mistakes, develop new insights and discoveries, and create powerful and moving works of art.

Performance Theatre and the Poetics of Failure (Routledge Advances in Theatre and Perfo)

by Sara Jane Bailes

5 out of 5