Introduction
Theater is a unique phenomenon that emerged in ancient times and remains popular today. Among various forms of art, it is one of the most attractive to viewers because of the costumes, decorations, and live performances. Actors use the play written by a certain author and present it to a broad audience. It means that reading the play and watching it in the theatre or on video are two different experiences. For instance, Shakespeare’s masterpiece Romeo and Juliet is one of the most famous works actors often select. Although it is easier for readers compared to ancient Greek tragedies, some aspects might remain unclear (Jacobus & Martin, 2019). At the same time, watching the play on video helps to understand it better.
Discussion
Speaking about the selected video, it is vital to mention the central elements of the performance. The Emporia State University Theatre uses the classical way to perform, meaning the decorations and costumes are made regarding the epoch (Emporia State University, 2019). Old clothing and unusual dresses help to create the necessary atmosphere and participate with the actors. These elements stand out throughout the whole performance and are the most attractive ones. The decorations and the background are minimalistic; however, they also promote a better understanding of the action, its development, and the change of scenes. These aspects perfectly match the written version of the play and do not distract viewers from following Shakespeare’s ideas and understanding the main problem.
Another critical moment is that actors do not reproduce the original text line by line. The theatre staff cut some parts or scenes that they viewed as unimportant (Emporia State University, 2019). However, they do not introduce their own ideas or words, and viewers do not miss meaningful aspects. It shows the careful attitude to the original play and the desire to present it to a broad audience and embody the described feelings and emotions. Shakespeare shows the archetypical story of lovers who are not allowed to meet (Jacobus & Martin, 2019). The performance preserves the atmosphere and helps to understand the power of true feelings and the drama coming from the prohibition (Emporia State University, 2019). The tone moves from romantic to tragic as two young people die being unable to live without each other. The lines “There shall no figure at such rate be set / As that of true and faithful Juliet” and the fading light after them are the climax of the play (Shakespeare, 2011/1597, 5.3.320-321). The performance helps to understand the mood better and feel with the main characters.
It is also vital to admit the difference in understanding the written and video play versions. The author’s text, remarks, characters’ names, and actions might be hard to read and comprehend. It also distracts from understanding the plot and following the main figures’ actions. At the same time, watching the performance, a person does not have to read these remarks as he/she sees how they are considered by others when acting. It makes a play easy to understand, and there is no need for additional explanations or comments. This experience also helps to understand why plays are meant to be watched rather than read.
Conclusion
Altogether, watching the play on video was a positive experience. Seeing beautiful costumes, decorations, and talented acting promotes positive emotions. Moreover, as against the written version, this one cultivates higher levels of engagement and understanding of events. It is easier to empathize with the main characters because of their emotions, words, and actions. This experience helps to understand why plays were designed for theaters. It is essential to see a live performance to become a part of it and understand the author’s idea and the main problems touched upon in the text and become a part of it.
References
Emporia State University. (2019). ESU Theatre presents William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Jacobus, L., & Martin, D. (2019). The humanities through the arts (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Shakespeare, W. (2011). Romeo and Juliet (B. Mowat & P. Werstine, Eds.). Simon & Schuster (Original work published 1597).