W
hile sir Noël Coward’s song is really a query to overly dramatic actors, I felt since our health and that of those around us is so much on everyone’s mind now, it is appropriate for this column to answer his musical question: ‘Why Must the Show Go On?’ from a health standpoint. There is much established research on how theatre affects the human body and soul and the health benefits of attending live theatre. Here are the top four health benefits: 1. Reduces Tension And Stress Researchers claim that watching a theatre show can bring peace to the mind, soul, and body. Theatre is a form of art with multiple actors dedicated to presenting an experience either real or imagined. When you watch a good movie, you automatically get so involved in it that you tend to forget your problems and enjoy the experiences the movie has to offer. The same goes for the theatre, but you can feel more deeply connected as you experience live performances. There is a sense of peace and reduced tension as well as a bond formed between the viewer and the performer which creates a magical experience between them. 2. Strengthens the Immune System All the different genres of theatre have importance of their own but watching musicals and comedies have
ISLAND ETC [East-End Theatre Company] www.islandetc.org COM THEATRE [College of the Mainland Community Theatre] www.com.edu/community-theatre THE GRAND 1894 OPERA HOUSE www.thegrand.com/
CURTAIN GOING UP | Theatrical Column With Paul Hager a more positive impact on a person’s emotional and mental health. Heath clinics across the globe say watching humorous performances can stimulate organs. In simple terms, laughing and giggling can boost the level of endorphins in your brain, thus lowering your blood pressure. When you’re having a chuckle, extra oxygen is being delivered to your heart, lungs, and muscles which leads to relaxation. Scientists claim that laughing can provide strength to the immune system over time. The brain is responsible for releasing chemicals based on your thoughts. If you think positively, the brain will release these chemicals to help you fight stress. 3. Increases Memory Power Attending live shows regularly increases your memory power and improves your reasoning skills. A recent study conducted at Harvard Medical School took 120 people from the age group 60-86. One was assigned theatre training, another group was assigned visual art, and another third group was not giving training at all. At the end of one month, all three were given a problem-solving test. The group which had theatre training showed positive results. Their reasoning skills and problem-solving capacity increased significantly. From this research, the scholars of Harvard proposed that attending a live theatre performance even for a short amount of time can indicate the brain is fit and active.
BAY AREA HARBOR PLAYHOUSE www.harbourtheater.com CLEAR CREEK COMMUNITY THEATRE www.clearcreekcommunitytheatre. com
4. Improves Physical Fitness Some may have a misconception that only exercise can make them physically fit. Actually, “No Brain?” “No Brawn!” Just as the body needs exercise and protein, the brain needs entertainment. You can exercise all you want, but if you don’t take time to feed your brain, all bets are off. Researchers state that that physical health and mental health are more intricately linked than we realized. Theatre is the perfect exercise for giving those little grey cells a workout by providing a myriad of visual, sensual, and emotional experiences. So, In Conclusion, Sir Noel – Here’s Why The Show Must Go On: Just as theatre helps actors make sense of their emotions, it has a similar effect on the audience. When watching a performance, audience members often use emotions that are frequently neglected. This is because an audience member can feel bonded to the characters and feel emotions along with them. They might even relate them to their own lives. Many studies have shown that people who watch live performances have a stronger ability to comprehend and empathize than people who, for instance, saw the movie instead. This month, I was hoping to give you an update on what the theatres we cover have planned for the near future and beyond. I have reached out to the artistic directors of each for their input but have not received enough responses to pass them on at this time; hopefully, I will by our next issue. In the meantime, please keep monitoring their respective webpages for the most current information. Stay safe, and [hopefully not for very much longer] STAY HOME!
PURPLE BOX THEATRE www.thepurpleboxtheater.com FRANCA’S DINNER THEATRE www.francasrealitalian.com Waves Magazine | May 2020 Issue | 47