Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) Faculty of Fine Arts (FAF) Radio, Television and Cinema department head Asst. Prof. Dr. Önder Paker published a text titled “Without Losing the Enthusiasm of Theatre” for the 27 March World Theater Day. In his article, in which he expressed the concerns in the theater industry, which had a difficult time under the pandemic conditions, he stated that despite everything, we should not despair, giving an example of London in the 1580s, where a similar period was experienced:
“For a year, theater artists have not been able to work with their actors, directors, decor costumers, light artists, effects artists, and they have not been able to do that exuberant act that brings their art and life together. Is it possible to remove art from the life of humanity? Would we have been able to endure these isolating measures all this time if we did not listen to music, visit virtual painting and sculpture galleries, and not feature films in the houses where they were closed? What about the theater? Theater companies in all countries of the world are looking for ways to reach their audiences with recorded footage or partially live broadcasts. To what extent can these digital transmissions be considered theatrical? A technique has not yet been developed that can replace watching the live performance on stage, instant reactions, and most importantly, the effect of watching the audience together. No matter how realistic it is made with the hologram technique developed for three-dimensional images, what can replace seeing the actor's voice, skin and sweat, instant role magic on stage? Intermediate measures and efforts to bring the play and the audience together in half-empty halls continue, but before the epidemic ends, the danger of getting sick and uneasiness continue to negatively affect the art of theater. The great plague epidemic in London in the late 1580s caused the closure of theaters and made Shakespeare known. The Covid-19 epidemic that we are experiencing today may also add brand new features to the art of theater from a technical point of view."
Sources:
https://www.dha.com.tr/kultursanat/pandemi-shakespearein-taninmasini-saglamisti/haber-1817913
