The Chemical Formulas of Blending

Abstract

It may be said that theatre is an artistic medium, which partly presents and defines itself, explains its own rules, and – being at least to some extent self-explanatory – justifies the existence, selection and modelling of all its constituent substances and components. In order to convey its message, theatre has to find or create a space where it can present and express itself as a medium. It does not mean that a theatre building is needed for that purpose. For this is not simply a matter of the architectural space, because a theatrical performance does not have to take place in a building which we recognize as a theatre-institution; to all intents and purposes it could take place anywhere. Furthermore the background to the performance does not have to be the stage set – it could be a real street, and the actors do not have to wear historical costumes – they could wear clothes which are no different from those of the passers-by. So how do we know that this is theatre and not, for example, a political demonstration or an advertising stunt organized by a local department store? Sometimes this distinction is not easy, as, in contrast to other works of art, theatre can become similar to non-theatrical reality because usually its substance in a visible and recognizable way belongs to reality and is material and three-dimensional, and sometimes may even seem to have an “extension” or continuation outside the stage and theatre spaces.