Lily Webb

DRA 350
Tatom
September 4, 2017

Frissignment #3: Greeks

This weeks article discusses the the idea of the mask. Peter Hall discusses the distance
in theatre, which allows for studying something while experiencing it. He explains how in
Greek tragedy, the bloodiest, [most horrific of actions] are kept off of the stage, [and] the most
hysterical behavior is contained by mask. This is the idea that, by keeping the most intense
action off of the stage, it intensifies it further. By not showing this, it leaves it to the imagination,
allowing it to be as horrific (or hysterical) as the audience members find it. I think this is a great
approach to violence on stage, when it is something such as war or death. I think that in cases of
smaller violence, such as domestic abuse, it is stronger to show it on the stage provided it is
done safely.
Hall says that all performances always has to have the equivalent of a mask to transmit
an emotion. I dont know if I agree with this bit. I agree that a mask can create a different type
of performance, and can pull the audience in a different way than is usually done. They may not
reject the story as quickly as fake, and go further into experiencing the storyline than they
would if they could see the actors faces. However, I also think that it can have the opposite
affect. In the wrong kind of performance, I think having a mask puts up a bit of a wall between
the audience and the show, and stops them from experiencing it as deeply.