The environmental or site- specific theatre- these two words can be used as synonyms.
Environmental theatre has became quite popular in Latvia recently, mainly thanks to the activities of Latvian Institute of New theatre (LINT), which in year 2001 has organized noncommercial theatre festivals “Homo Alibi” and “Homo Novus”.
Main sources I’ve used are: my personal experience of watching performances, articles, which I’ve read in newspapers and magazines and of course my diploma thesis.
First of all I will define what is environmental or site-specific theatre. Then I’ll look at the history of it and later at different kinds of this form of theatre. Examples of environmental theatre will be given too.
Site- specific theatre is the theatre outside of classical theatre stage. Theatre projects can occupy factories, churches, filling stations, city streets and other spaces.
1.The performances may be staged in a “found” place without altering it. Or
2.In a location that has been converted to create environment suited to what will occur there.
.
Sometimes other spaces in the theatre, not just stage, are involved in the performance. They may
1.Supplement stage - in performances where the stage remains as the centre, but all theatre is decorated or actors are among spectators.
2.Substitute stage. Good example is the New Riga Theatre’s performance “Rondo”, which, I don’t know why wasn’t included in the programme of “Homo Novus”. As you probably know –the stage was only one of the places in the theatre where actors were playing.…
