Invitation to Invest: What Drives a Character?
Have you ever wondered about the lives of side characters? The people that help our protagonist/anti-protagonist thrive in their roles? What happens to them? Who are they? How did they get themselves into that situation? Damn! I wish there could be a spin-off so I can get answers to all these question!
Well, a late discovery in my theatre life perhaps has solve the answer to those question and perhaps could be the answer to many theatre problems that me and a friend of mine (Mlondi) have noted about theatre.
I am talking about Immersive Theatre.
I am writing this post with excitement, a madman on cocaine really because of how fascinated I was with the experience, I was being introduced to a world I had longed for in so many years. I did not know the answer already existed or rather lurking in existence.
I have my girlfriend to thank for it, she had previously informed me about this theatre, I confused the information she gave me with Escape Rooms. Which for those who are familiar with Escape Rooms might get an understanding of what Immersive Theatre is all about. Here is a formal breakdown of what it is, or rather what I found online, if you did not follow the link above.
What is that?
Immersive theatre is a form of theatrical experience that breaks the traditional boundaries between the audience and the performers, creating a fully immersive and interactive environment. In immersive theatre, the audience is not merely passive observers but active participants in the unfolding narrative. The audience is encouraged to move around, explore the space, and interact with the performers and the environment.
One notable example of immersive theatre is “Sleep No More” by Punchdrunk, which is based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Audience members wear masks and freely explore a multi-story building, encountering scenes and characters from the play. They can follow different characters, witness private moments, and piece together the narrative in their own unique way.
I found myself experiencing “Sleep No More” by Punchdrunk as explained above. As I watched, tears almost fell from my eyes, to be more specific, tears of discovery, the awakening of a new way to explore performance art, a new way to begin writing scripts.
The more I read about Immersive theatre, the more it fascinates me. The idea that performer is trapped in a loop, reliving the moment that make them who they are in the work, not only that but the underlying ideas that each performer creates this world of the character.
When an author writes, they usually have a main focus, the journey of this main character, on other occasions, you can focus on antagonist, but the point is the view gets limited details on “other” characters then come Immersive theatre.
The performers, perhaps writers too, are tasked to expand the varying worlds of these “other” characters and suddenly as a viewer you are hooked on a character you merely saw as a tool for the hero/villain to pass through, suddenly, these characters have voice, and their voices are so beautiful you follow them throughout the story.
Let’s break down the pros and cons of this unique experience!
Pros:
- The immersive nature of the performance allows the audience to truly feel like a part of the show.
- The unexpected interactions with the performers can create memorable moments.
- Despite the chaos, investing in different characters adds a layer of excitement and unpredictability to the experience.
- The requirement for various theatre spaces and props opens up opportunities for creative storytelling.
Cons:
- The crowded environment and constant movement can lead to confusion and potential loss of characters.
- Lengthy walking periods may not be enjoyable for all participants.
- The need for specific spaces and resources can be challenging for smaller production companies.
- Resuming the story after losing track of a character can be disorienting.
Overall, while there may be some drawbacks like potential confusion and physical demands, the immersive and creative aspects of the experience offer a unique and engaging theatrical adventure!
Of course, I was seeing this experience in many perspectives. I was an audience, I was a performer, I was a writer, I was the other person watching, and I was a psychologist, it was thrilling. As an audience I was curious, I wanted to know, I wanted to know what drives my character, hence why I followed them. As a psychologist, I was curious to what makes people choose certain characters to follow. There were individuals choosing to follow perhaps character arch that did not involve the main story, but these people where invested. Why? What caught their attention? My girlfriend told me she followed a character who during the work gave her a key to a secret door. She of course lost the key and she was angry at herself. These are the experiences that are intriguing, the idea that you can be part of something new and interesting, perhaps someone did not experience, to feel special, the idea of being unique.
I was a performer in more ways than one, I was part of the works by proximity, how close I felt I was involved in the work, at the same time, I was looking at the performers as a performer myself, wondering how would I perform the work if in it. My “soul or rather spirit” transferred itself to the performers, I wondered if perhaps that’s part of the appeal. It reminded me of SITE SPECIFIC WORK but indoors.
I found myself following a certain character, she only moved past me for a second but in that moment I made a decision that I will invest my time seeing her when the play restarted. To be fair, she was cute, that was the initial appeal, “babe I know you’ll be reading this”. I did not regret this decision; she turned out to be a wonder, the way her body moved across the floor (dancing), her “evil” character swayed you as a viewer. Later, she would interact with me by leading me to her next journey, it was an investment well spent.
As a person who writes, I was intrigued at how I saw different details each time I followed a different character, a scene was totally different when observed through the eyes of different characters. For example: We walked into a scene with a character I was following and bodies (audience) looked towards us, perhaps guided by their characters’ gaze. It was only later when I was no longer following that character that I experienced the same moment through the eyes of another. Objects had different meaning in the hands of different characters. I write with no spoilers but I am hoping my experience and fascination draws you in enough to want to discover it yourself.
Reflections on Theatre
As I reflect on my writing, I find myself revisiting the theatrical experience repeatedly, driven by a quest for such profound encounters. Returning to a previous assertion I made about theatre, I perceive a lingering stagnation that plagues the art form. It’s not so much a demise but rather a cycle—a loop that theatre seems trapped in. While this loop has its merits, the negative aspects overshadow the positives. As the world progresses, remaining stagnant in this loop becomes detrimental.
Theatre must undergo a transformation, innovating to attract and engage audiences, not just in terms of financial support (though that is welcome) but more importantly in terms of viewership. For too long, theatre has been confined to a select demographic. Why is that? Why can’t theatre be as universally appealing as watching a blockbuster film like “John Wick” or the Marvel movies (pre-“Endgame”)—an experience for all? Theatre should strive to be inclusive, inviting diverse audiences to partake in its magic, offering a unique and immersive experience that delves into character motivations.
As a theatre creator and enthusiast, I strongly believe that this approach can breathe new life into the art form. The concept of attending a show and encountering a different experience each time is truly remarkable. Playwrights can also embrace dynamism in their scriptwriting, crafting rich narratives that open up multiple possibilities, akin to building a theatrical multiverse.
In closing, I contemplate the term “Immersive Theatre,” where the word “immerse” conveys a deep dive into the performance. Theatre was originally conceived as an avenue for escapism, a sanctuary where individuals could find solace, amusement, or introspection. While the landscape has shifted, theatre should still offer solace and respite, fostering inclusivity rather than exclusivity. It should strive to be accessible to all, ensuring that it continues to be a source of joy, contemplation, and collective experience for everyone.