11.1 Characteristics and theories of Postmodernism in theatre

Postmodern theatre shook up traditional ideas about storytelling and reality on stage. It mixed up genres, blurred lines between performers and audience, and challenged what we thought we knew about theatre.

This new approach rejected grand narratives and universal truths. Instead, it embraced fragmented storylines, blended high and low art, and used irony to make us question everything we see on stage.

Key Characteristics of Postmodern Theatre

Rejection of Modernist Conventions

Top images from around the web for Rejection of Modernist Conventions

• 

  A History of Graphic Design: Chapter 43: Graphic Design and the Postmodern Epoch View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  pastiche – Daniel's Assorted Musings View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  A History of Graphic Design: Chapter 43: Graphic Design and the Postmodern Epoch View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  pastiche – Daniel's Assorted Musings View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

Top images from around the web for Rejection of Modernist Conventions

• 

  A History of Graphic Design: Chapter 43: Graphic Design and the Postmodern Epoch View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  pastiche – Daniel's Assorted Musings View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  A History of Graphic Design: Chapter 43: Graphic Design and the Postmodern Epoch View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  pastiche – Daniel's Assorted Musings View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

• Postmodern theatre emerged in the late 20th century as a reaction against the perceived limitations and conventions of modernism
• It rejects traditional narrative structures, linear storytelling, and the notion of objective reality or universal truths
• Postmodern theatre challenges and subverts audience expectations by incorporating elements of fragmentation, pastiche, irony, and self-reflexivity

Blurring of Boundaries

• Postmodern theatre frequently blurs the boundaries between different genres, styles, and art forms, creating a more fluid and open-ended theatrical experience
• It may incorporate multimedia elements (video projections, sound collages, digital technologies) to create a multi-layered and immersive theatrical environment
• Postmodern theatre often blurs the lines between performer and audience, breaking down the fourth wall and encouraging active participation and interpretation

Thematic Focus

• Postmodern theatre often explores themes related to identity, power, representation, and the nature of reality itself
• It may deconstruct and critique dominant cultural narratives and ideologies, exposing their underlying assumptions, biases, and power structures
• Postmodern theatre embraces a more pluralistic and relativistic view of truth, acknowledging the existence of multiple, often contradictory perspectives and interpretations

Rejection of Grand Narratives in Postmodern Theatre

Challenging Universal Truths

• Postmodern theatre rejects the idea of grand narratives or overarching explanations of reality that claim to be universally true or applicable
• Instead, it embraces a more pluralistic and relativistic view of truth, acknowledging the existence of multiple, often contradictory perspectives and interpretations
• Postmodern theatre often deconstructs and subverts traditional narratives, exposing their underlying assumptions, biases, and power structures

Fragmented and Non-Linear Narratives

• Postmodern theatre may present fragmented or non-linear storylines that resist easy interpretation or resolution, challenging the audience to construct their own meaning
• It often incorporates elements of irony, parody, and satire to critique and undermine dominant cultural narratives and ideologies
• Postmodern theatre explores the ways in which language, representation, and discourse shape our understanding of reality and identity
• Examples of plays with fragmented narratives include "The Bald Soprano" by Eugène Ionesco and "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" by Tom Stoppard

High vs Low Art in Postmodern Theatre

Blurring Artistic Boundaries

• Postmodern theatre often challenges the traditional distinction between high art and popular culture, blurring the boundaries between different artistic forms and genres
• It may incorporate elements of popular culture (television, film, advertising, comic books) into the theatrical experience
• Postmodern theatre often uses pastiche, or the juxtaposition of different styles and genres, to create a sense of irony, playfulness, and cultural commentary

Challenging Artistic Conventions

• Postmodern theatre may combine elements of classical theatre, avant-garde experimentation, and mass media to create a hybrid and eclectic theatrical form
• It often challenges the notion of artistic originality and authenticity, embracing appropriation, sampling, and remixing as legitimate creative strategies
• Postmodern theatre may blur the boundaries between performer and audience, breaking down the fourth wall and creating a more participatory and immersive theatrical experience
• Examples of plays that blend high and low art include "Angels in America" by Tony Kushner and "Ubu Roi" by Alfred Jarry

Fragmentation, Pastiche, and Irony in Postmodern Theatre

Fragmentation as a Reflection of Reality

• Fragmentation is a key element of postmodern theatre, reflecting the idea that reality and identity are not unified or coherent, but rather composed of multiple, often contradictory parts
• Postmodern theatre often presents fragmented narratives, characters, and staging, challenging the audience to piece together meaning from disparate elements
• The fragmented nature of postmodern theatre mirrors the fragmentation and complexity of postmodern society and culture

Pastiche as Cultural Commentary

• Pastiche involves the juxtaposition and recombination of different styles, genres, and cultural references to create a sense of irony, playfulness, and cultural commentary
• Postmodern theatre often uses pastiche to critique and subvert dominant cultural narratives, exposing their underlying assumptions and power structures
• Pastiche allows postmodern theatre to engage with and comment on a wide range of cultural texts and traditions, creating a rich and layered theatrical experience
• Examples of plays that employ pastiche include "The Threepenny Opera" by Bertolt Brecht and "Hamletmachine" by Heiner Müller

Irony as a Critical Device

• Irony is a central device in postmodern theatre, used to create a sense of distance, ambiguity, and critical reflection
• Postmodern theatre may employ verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony to highlight the gap between appearance and reality, and to encourage multiple interpretations
• The use of irony in postmodern theatre encourages the audience to question their assumptions and engage in critical thinking about the themes and issues presented
• Examples of plays that rely heavily on irony include "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" by Tom Stoppard and "The Bald Soprano" by Eugène Ionesco