The Breaking Down of Barriers
M:
The idea of using imagination and putting yourself on the stage leads to the creation of the word metatheatre. This is a term coined by Lionel Abel in 1963 which ‘‘is a convenient name
for the quality or force in a play which challenges theatre’s claim to be simply realistic -- to be nothing but a mirror in which we view the actions and sufferings of characters like ourselves, suspending our disbelief in their reality...’’31
This technique is similar to that of removing the 4th wall, where the story is so relatable the viewers become immersed in the show, imagining themselves in the character’s shoes. Over time the phrase transformed into something else, and much like the ‘metaverse’ is a world within a world [virtual within real], metatheatre can also refer to the play within the play or the story within the story. Moving on from rigid, structured theatres, we can begin to take down the barriers between audience and performer. Blurring the boundary and allowing each to meet in the middle...This interaction brings the idea of immersology. Metatheatre removes the 4th wall but still has the form of a traditional theatre with a seated audience and staged performers. Immmersology breaks the 4th wall completely by removing the physical divisions and putting everyone in the same playing space. 32
S:
Sandbox is a structure that can be used to create an immersive theatre, where the audience ‘‘can choose what to see and do within
the space, acting as their own camera or protagonist. The primary activity is in the constant choice of where to go, so there is often a strong aspect of more-passive “witnessing” in the actor-audience relationship, although some sandboxes may allow audience choices to alter the story.’’33 Punchdrunk
is a theatre company who create environments and systems of spaces where the nature of the journey is chaotic - much like the reality of real life. When the audience return to the same show, they can change the story each time, creating incentive for coming back. 34
31
Lionel Abel, https://courses.cit.cornell.edu/engl3270/327.meta.html
32
https://www.immersology.com/structures/
33
lbid
34
https://www.punchdrunk.com/
Act II EXOSOMATIC MEMORY
