With such a plethora of entertainment media accessible to us today, you would wonder just how much relevance and popularity the world of theatre still holds. In fact, over the recent years, many people have argued that it is a dying art. Richard Schechner, one of the founders of Performance Studies, infamously said, “Theatre as we have known and practiced it – the staging of written dramas – will be the string quartet of the 21st century.” He claimed this more than 20 years ago, yet lo and behold, the theater is still very much alive.
Why? And how? The answer lies in the very essence of theatre itself. Humans have always needed a way to express themselves. And the long history of theatre is proof of that. We could actually trace its roots as far back as 8500 BC when humans started creating religious rituals and tribal dances. One such instance is recorded in a ritual depiction of a myth, performed annually in Egypt dating back as early as 2500 BC.
Early Beginnings
It was, however, the Ancient Greeks, with their amphitheaters, masks, and costumes that gave birth to the theatre we know today. The cult ceremonies of the god of fertility and wine, Dionysus, are said to be the earliest beginnings of Greek Theatre. In these performances, his female devotees would dance in a frenzy while carrying long phallic symbols called thyrsoi. For an added dramatic flair, they would tear and eat the flesh of the sacrificed animals. Eventually, Dionysians began to develop more structure and started to include the dancing and singing of stories from the Greek Myths.
In the following centuries, the grandeur and popularity of theatre only prospered. The era of Greek Tragedies came. Along with it some of the biggest names in theatre – the Tragedians Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus. Only a few of these tragedies have survived, but they are regarded as masterpieces until today. After that came Shakespeare, Chekhov, Wilde, and Shaw, to name only a few.
The history of the theatrical arts has had a long and winding road. The evolution of the modern theatre is plagued with various religious, political, and social events throughout history. It has, however, remained steadfast in its ability to capture art and human expression. Not only that, but theatre has also played a significant role in connecting, educating and influencing people’s thoughts. It is inarguable just how much it has contributed to our society today. It is no wonder why it is still widely loved by people from all walks of life.
Theatre Today
The face of theatre has evolved from a mere religious ritualistic expression to our society’s way of invoking thoughts and beliefs. It has helped and still continues to shape our world in unimaginable ways. There were even times when it has lost its popularity and has even been banned altogether. Yet it still manages to emerge and flourish because of one very important reason – that humans need to create and express themselves as a way to communicate and be understood. Its importance to its creators and its audiences is so constant that it is quite hard to imagine it dying.
But where does the theatre stand today? From regional shows to Broadway – its popularity seems to have increased rather suddenly in the last few years. This is in part due to some novel use of technology by plays like “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.” This is proof that the current generation is still very much engaged with the theatrical arts. Contrary to the impression that the theatre is not innovative, young playwrights continue to find ways to make the theatrical experience more modern, versatile and current.
And while these new flashy plays are
now making waves in theaters nationwide, let’s not forget the much-loved classics that we all keep coming back for. Ticket sales are still sky-high for shows like Disney’s Aladdin, Hamilton, and Hamlet. In fact, statistics show that as of 2016, over 47 million Americans had attended a live theater event. Additionally, during the 2016/17 seasons, musicals performed on Broadway have generated over 1.2 billion U.S. dollars. Numbers don’t lie. There is no denying that theatre still holds quite an interest in the entertainment industry.
You would think that our access to film and its worldwide appeal should make the theatre industry less appealing to the masses. But it is quite the contrary. The film industry, with its propensity for adaptations, has actually encouraged a love of theatre. Films like Hairspray, Dreamgirls, and Les Miserables, for example, have only increased the original plays’ popularity. These shows are sure to be bestsellers whenever they open in theaters.
That being said, what are the most popular plays or musicals showing in theatres today? With dozens of new productions shown on Broadway each year and the wide array of classics that we continue to enjoy, only a few manage to break through and soar to the top of the list. This 2018, some of the most loved shows on Broadway include contemporary, thought-provoking and hilariously smart shows like Ballyturk and [PORTO]. Fantasy fanatics also continue to watch J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The ever iconic pop cult favorite, Mean Girls also keeps on selling out shows. Of course, the classic revival of Bartlett Sher’s My Fair Lady also made the cut.