poor theatre
Quick Summary
Poor theatre is a concept championed by Jerzy Grotowski, emphasizing the actor-spectator relationship as the core of theatre. It rejects elaborate sets, costumes, and special effects, focusing instead on the actor's unadorned presence and physical/vocal training. Grotowski believed theatre should be an intense, almost religious confrontation, stripping away non-essentials to achieve "poor theatre". This approach contrasts with "rich theatre" that relies on technological spectacle. The goal is to create a direct, "live" communion between the performer and the audience, prioritizing the actor's art over external elements.123
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
- actingLater developments
…staging that he called “poor theatre.” He rejected the idea that theatre should attempt to match the spectacle and effects of film and television and declared that the primary element of theatre is the relationship between actor and spectator. The theatre can exist without makeup and without a separate…
Read More…staging that he called “poor theatre.” He rejected the idea that theatre should attempt to match the spectacle and effects of film and television and declared that the primary element of theatre is the relationship between actor and spectator. The theatre can exist without makeup and without a separate…
Read More 
theatreThe influence of Grotowski and the Polish Laboratory Theatre…of theatre is often called poor theatre on account of the simple circumstances in which it takes place. This characteristic recalls Copeau’s idea of “the greatest possible effect from the least possible means.” The internationalism of the theatre is now such that groups modeled on Grotowski’s have appeared throughout the…
Read More…of theatre is often called poor theatre on account of the simple circumstances in which it takes place. This characteristic recalls Copeau’s idea of “the greatest possible effect from the least possible means.” The internationalism of the theatre is now such that groups modeled on Grotowski’s have appeared throughout the…
Read More