Experimental theatre in the time of Covid-19

A recent virtual performance reminds us of the power of theatre and life.

The mantra of theatre is proximity among the characters on the stage and their close contact with the audience. The power of the theatrical performance emanates from this very ancient and immanent practice of keeping drama very close to human experience and performance. The choice of a specified space called theatre and its milieu is, therefore, its most important need. Anything that is removed from this practice tends to disrupt and even destroy the power of the selfsame entity called theatre. One other power of the mantra of theatre is its continuity. Theatre performers have kept the practice of performance alive in very difficult times also. They continued to perform plays even on the ruins of buildings raged by bombings during wars and in violent times. The world of theatre is now debating about the possibilities of keeping the theatre performances going. I keep receiving letters and tracts of information from the International Theatre Institute about the efforts of people devising various ways of keeping theatre alive during the pandemic.