For me, there is a paradox in poetry, which is like the paradox in tragedy. You have the most terrible subject, but it's in a form that is so sensually gratifying that it connects the surviving heart to the despairing intellect.
Tony HarrisonRead
Theatre has to be theatrical. It has to draw attention to itself, like poetry.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Theatre should inherently be expressive and capture the audience's attention, akin to the nature of poetry.
In this quote, Tony Harrison emphasizes that theatre should not just be a mere reproduction of life but rather an artistic expression that captivates and enchants the audience. Just as poetry employs stylized language and imagery to evoke emotions and provoke thought, theatre should embrace its inherent theatricality to enhance the experience of storytelling and performance, making it an art form that stands out and commands attention.
Themes
TheatreArtPoetryPerformanceExpression
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a theatre workshop to inspire participants to embrace creativity.
More from Tony Harrison
All quotes βI hate being called poet/dramatist/translator/director. 'Poet' covers it all for me.
Tony HarrisonRead
There's a kind of despair about whether art can really do anything, but you have to incorporate that despair into the way you work. I try to soak my work in my sense of futility and fury.
Tony HarrisonRead
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