Sydney Cramer

Dr. Lars Tatom

Theatre History II

23 February 2020

Frissignment #6

Peter Brook describes the world-building ability of The Immediate Theatre. He describes

a type of story telling that serves as both a “magnifying glass” as well as a “reducing lens.” We

can hone in on one particular story in great detail, or we can cast a generalized view upon groups

of people based on a history backed only in unsubstantiated claims. All of these different view

points allow for a certain generic response within the rehearsal process and the audience once it

comes time for a performance. Immediate theatre is all about in-the-moment reaction, so each

performance can offer a slightly different way of telling the story. The audience is different for

every show, and within these audiences separate types of people exist. This mixed with the

fleeting emotions of actors and moments within the text, offer a chance for responses varying

with every word spoken or each gasp taken. Brook says that the “aim is always visible, not too

far away” in Immediate theatre. I think he was trying to say that each story can be different and

each beat can concoct varying reactions, but the goal is to always tell a story no matter what

reaction(s) it amasses. I find great truth in this because when you play a part or create a technical

element, you always want it to help in telling a cohesive story. You cannot control how the

audience will respond emotionally, but you can control the facts and mood they are met with in

said story. The elements you can control mixed with unpredictable audience reaction help to

create those genuine reactions and emotional responses that are the basis of Immediate Theatre.