I enjoyed MBS Production's
Theatre of Death so much
that I asked Mark-Brian Sonna, the Producer, if I could see it again, and he
graciously consented. However, I wasn't
as entertained by the work as I was the first time. What was the reason for this? The performances were just as riveting—both
from a comic and dramatic standpoint. The playlets were still marvelously crafted. Why then did I think I was watching a totally
different production? (The audience,
that's why.)
The audience is an integral part of any theatrical
experience—some say the most important. Theatre Three's mission statement begins "To celebrate the three
ingredients without which there is no theatre art; the authors, the actors,
and the audience." [Emphasis theirs.] Every audience has a unique
and distinct personality--just like a human being. This personality is determined early on. It is fairly easy to discern this personality
early during the performance. An
inattentive audience can be spotted by their trademark behavior: conversation during pauses in the production
rather than paying attention; reading programs during the performance; and
sitting in an relaxed, unfocused manner. This behavior was on display at last night's performance of Theatre
of Death in copious amounts. Thus
lines that got huge laughs when I first saw the show received minor chuckles
and the dramatic moments fell flat.
On
the other hand, the audience at Dallas at opening night of Dallas
Summer Musicals' Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was a raucous fellow who delighted
in the raunchy double entendres and the schoolboy humor. This audience was doing more than enjoying Dirty
Rotten Scoundrels. It had been
subjected to a media blitz about what an outrageously funny show they were
about to see. In addition to enjoying
the show, they were congratulating themselves for appreciating the way the way they were meant to.
Please
keep in mind that there is a difference between inattentiveness and no
reaction. Sometimes, an audience is so
engrossed in a production that they are taking in the action so carefully so
they don't miss a single thing. Recently, I attended a production of Frozen at Theatre
Three.The audience barely uttered a
sound during this intense drama, but gave it prolonged applause after both
acts. Performers understand and can
relate to this rapt attention by an audience. They can also fathom when they're not getting their message across.
What
do artists do when they're not connecting with their audience? I'm certain it must be difficult. I was a member of Toastmasters International
for several years and delivered dozens of speeches, many of them entertaining
ones. When one audience failed to laugh
at a joke, I just went on with my material as if nothing had happened. Early on, I learned on that you can't force a
specific reaction from an audience, just like you can't demand a person act a
certain way. I imagine actors follow the
same path. Rather than force an
uncooperative audience to participate in the entertainment, all performers can
do is do is to fulfill their role as artists and simply hope the next audience
has a personality which is open to their message.
You
may want to keep some of this in mind the next time you go to the theatre. Remember, the quality of a production is
dependent upon many things, and a major component is the personality of the
audience. If you want a top-notch
theatrical experience, then you have to do your part and ensure the audience
responds to the work appropriately.
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