Chemistry of the Theatre

Dealing with the most difficult problems concerning theatre, such as time, space, acting, language and conventions, this theoretical work approaches each of these complex issues from a temporal perspective, demonstrating that the majority of the basic issues linked to theatre may be discussed and analysed in this light. Through this innovative approach, acting is defined as the art of creating fictional present time. Similarly, instead of analyzing the language used on the stage, the author discusses 'stage speech', which is not phonetic, but iconic: in theatre one not only listens to the words, but also 'watches them'. Jerzy Limon also demonstrates that theatre is substance-specific; that creating fiction is not the only goal of the art, and that what really counts is the relationship of the denoted fictional world to the material substance that is selected and modeled ad hoc for a given performance. The two spheres, divided by the 'fifth wall', are governed by two different streams of time, enabling us to discuss all theatre phenomena from a temporal perspective. Using a number of examples of recent, outstanding productions, mostly of Shakespeare's plays, the book does not conduct an analysis of particular meanings created on a given night, but shows the reader how such meanings were created.