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third theatre

theatrical system
Also known as: alternative theatre, fringe theatre

Quick Summary

The term "third theatre" emerged in the mid-1960s as a response to dissatisfaction with traditional theatre's repertoire, production methods, and hierarchical structures. It is also known as alternative theatre, underground, experimental, guerrilla, or fringe theatre. This movement gained momentum alongside youthful political involvement, particularly in the United States with the civil rights movement and anti-Vietnam War protests, leading to the formation of innovative companies like the San Francisco Mime Troupe and El Teatro Campesino.1

Later, groups like the Polish Laboratory Theatre and the Living Theatre, influenced by figures such as Jerzy Grotowski and Antonin Artaud, explored a more visceral and actor-centered approach. Eugenio Barba, a student of Grotowski, formulated the concept of "third theatre" to describe groups living cooperatively and creating theatre from available resources, emphasizing the relationships fostered by their work as a primary measure of success. This form of theatre is often characterized as "poor theatre" due to its simple circumstances and focus on the actor's art.12

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