Howard Barker Quotes

Powerful Howard Barker for Daily Growth

About Howard Barker

Howard Barker (born February 18, 1946) is a prolific and influential Canadian playwright, theatre director, and actor. Known for his unconventional style and radical theatrical vision, Barker has spent over five decades pushing the boundaries of dramatic literature and theatre practice. Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, Barker's early years were marked by a nomadic lifestyle due to his family's constant moves across the country. This experience instilled in him a deep sense of alienation and a fascination with the human condition that would later become central themes in his work. In 1968, Barker graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in English and Drama. He then moved to England to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and later returned to Canada, where he worked as an actor and director before fully dedicating himself to playwriting. Barker's major works include "The Hollow Crown" trilogy, "Victory," "Scenes from an Execution," and the "Gertrude/Clarence" duology. His plays are characterized by their non-linear structure, rich language, and exploration of moral ambiguity, power dynamics, and the human psyche. Barker is a pioneer of the In-Yer-Face theatre movement, which advocates for raw, unapologetic portrayals of violence, sexuality, and emotion on stage. His work has been performed worldwide, earning him numerous awards and critical acclaim. In addition to his playwriting, Barker has also written extensively about theatre and its role in society. He is a passionate advocate for radical change in the arts and has founded several experimental theatre companies throughout his career. Despite his international success, Barker remains deeply connected to his Canadian roots and continues to push the boundaries of dramatic literature with each new work.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The artist is a hero in his own world."

In this quote, Howard Barker suggests that artists are extraordinary individuals within their unique creative spheres. They are heroes because they possess the courage to venture into the realms of imagination, expressing emotions and ideas that often challenge societal norms and provoke thought. Their work transcends mundane existence, transporting us to new worlds, evoking deep feelings, and encouraging self-discovery - making them true heroes in their artistic domains.

"Art should be an act of defiance."

This quote suggests that art should challenge societal norms, conventions, or established ideas. By creating something that stands out, artists can express dissent, question status quo, and push boundaries to inspire change and growth. In this sense, art becomes a form of rebellion against the predictable and mundane aspects of life. It's about making a statement, pushing cultural evolution forward, and leaving a lasting impact on society.

"Truth is always dangerous."

This quote suggests that truth, in its essence, carries an inherent danger or risk due to its potential to challenge established beliefs, systems, or power structures. In societies where conformity is highly valued, the exposure of uncomfortable truths can lead to conflict, discomfort, or change, which may be met with resistance. This quote highlights the importance of courage and resilience in seeking and upholding truth, as it often pushes against the status quo.

"Every play is an attempt to break free from the prison of our lives."

This quote suggests that each theatrical production, or "play," embodies a creative effort to transcend the limitations and routines of everyday life. It implies that through storytelling and performance, we can momentarily escape our personal constraints and experience new realities, ideas, and perspectives. In essence, theater serves as a means to explore the human condition beyond the confines of our daily existence.

"I write to exorcise my demons and bring them out into the light where they can be seen by others, and hopefully understood."

This quote suggests that for Howard Barker, writing is a means of confronting his personal struggles or inner conflicts (demons). By putting these issues onto the page, he aims to make them transparent, understandable, and accessible to others. In essence, he uses writing as a therapeutic tool to deal with his internal turmoil while also sharing his insights with the world.

I'm not interested in observed reality.

- Howard Barker

Reality, Not Interested, Observed

Theatre should be a taxing experience: the greatest achievement of a writer is to produce a character who creates anxiety.

- Howard Barker

Greatest Achievement, Taxing

I am so far as I am aware not at all influenced by dramatists, expect for Shakespeare, who I have to say, it is impossible not to be influenced by if you hold language to be the major element of theatre.

- Howard Barker

Impossible, Say, Influenced, Element

A good play puts the audience through a certain ordeal.

- Howard Barker

Play, Through, Puts, Ordeal

When I write, I am not giving a lecture, I am speculating on behavior. Sometimes this is dangerous, but it should be. As I say often, theatre is a dark place and we should keep the light out of it.

- Howard Barker

Dark Place, I Write, Lecture

I believe in poetic discourse, in the value of speech in a non-naturalistic way; it's speculative.

- Howard Barker

Believe, Speech, Poetic, Speculative

I submit all my plays to the National Theatre for rejection. To assure myself I am seeing clearly.

- Howard Barker

Myself, Submit, Plays, Assure

We are suffocated by writers who want to enlighten us with their truths. For me, the theatre is beautiful because it is a secret, and secrets seduce us, we all want to share secrets.

- Howard Barker

Want, Truths, Suffocated, Secrets

I'm not interested in entertainment.

- Howard Barker

Entertainment, Interested, Not Interested

I have plenty of political views and plenty of social and personal prejudices. I do not, however, value them.

- Howard Barker

Social, However, Prejudices, Views

I've often taken important classical, biblical or literary stories and interrogated them. I have tried to reinvigorate Lot by interpreting it differently.

- Howard Barker

Stories, Literary, Classical, Interpreting

I don't like sympathetic characters.

- Howard Barker

Like, Characters, Sympathetic

I never 'say' anything in my work. I invent a world. Let others decide what is being 'said'.

- Howard Barker

Work, World, Never, Invent

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