Portal:Theatre

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The Theatre Portal

Theatre (Greek "theatron"), enjoys the distinction of two spellings: in British English, "theatre" and in American English, "theater". There is no technical distinction between the meanings of the two spellings, however most theatre artists prefer the European spelling because it creates a historical nod to the ancient Greek term theatron. Some also use the American spelling to designate a theatre building and the European term to reference the art itself, as in the "art of theatre." Theatre is that branch of the performing arts concerned with acting out stories in front of an audience using combinations of speech, gesture, music, dance, sound and spectacle—indeed, any one or more elements of the other performing arts. In addition to standard narrative dialogue style, theatre takes such forms as opera, musicals, ballet, mime, kabuki, classical Indian dance, Chinese opera, mummers' plays, and pantomime.

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Colley Cibber, actor, playwright, Poet Laureate, first British actor-manager, and head Dunce of Alexander Pope's Dunciad.

Colley Cibber (June 11, 1671 – November 12, 1757) was an English playwright, actor, and Poet Laureate. His status as the first in a long line of actor-managers established his importance in theater history, and his colorful memoir (Apology for the Life of Colley Cibber) was key in starting the British tradition of rambling autobiographical style. Cibber's works provide valuable documentation of London stage practices for today's historians, and two of his original comedies are particularly useful records of the changing culture and ideology of the early 18th century.

Cibber wrote some original plays for performance by his own company at Drury Lane and adapted many more. His work received frequent criticism of his "miserable mutilation" (Robert Lowe) of "hapless Shakespeare, and crucify'd Molière" (Alexander Pope). He regarded himself as first and foremost an actor, and though his persistent efforts as a tragic performer were widely ridiculed, he enjoyed success in portraying humorous and foppish characters.

Contemporaries frequently accused Cibber of tasteless theatrical productions and shady business dealings. Social and political opportunism was thought to have gained him the laureateship over far better writers, and despite the award his poetic works are considered nugatory by modern scholars. In addition, Cibber's brash and extroverted personality offended many, and he rose to herostratic fame as the chief target of Alexander Pope's satirical poem The Dunciad.

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Did you know...

...that in the Japanese theatrical art known as Taishū engeki (pictured), it is not uncommon for fans to spend tens or hundreds of thousands of yen on gifts for the performers?
...that Anne Meacham was praised in the New York Times by Tennessee Williams when he said "There’s nothing she won’t say or do onstage without any sign of embarrassment?"
...that the Griffin Theatre Company is the only theatre company in Sydney, Australia dedicated entirely to the production of new works by Australian playwrights?
...that the Reps Theatre, founded in 1960, is one of the oldest amateur theatrical organizations in Zimbabwe?