"The theatre is the only institution in the world which has been dying for four thousand years and counting."
Walter Kerr's quote suggests a long-standing struggle for the survival and relevance of theater in the modern world, despite its age and rich history. The theater, being an ancient cultural institution, continues to exist but has faced numerous challenges over thousands of years, including changes in audience preferences, technological advancements, and shifting social values. Kerr's quote serves as a reminder that the theater must adapt to remain meaningful and engaging for contemporary audiences while preserving its historical significance.
"To entertain is not merely to amuse but to feed the spirit as food nourishes the body."
This quote suggests that entertainment serves a purpose beyond simple amusement or diversion; it also enriches our spirits in much the same way as food nourishes our bodies. In other words, just as we need food to survive physically, we need stimulating and thought-provoking experiences to flourish mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This could include art, music, theater, or any form of creative expression that challenges, inspires, and moves us.
"Art is man's necessity of expressing himself, of running over everything from the inside out until something of his nature spills over the edges in a form that can be shared."
The quote by Walter Kerr signifies that art serves as a means for humans to express their inner selves and emotions, creating an external representation that reflects their unique character or essence. This process of self-expression is essential, not just for the artist but also for humanity at large, fostering connections and understanding among people through shared experiences and emotions conveyed in artistic forms.
"It takes a very exceptional talent to bore the masses ceaselessly."
This quote by Walter Kerr signifies that it requires a remarkable level of skill or ability for someone to consistently hold the attention of the general public in an uninteresting manner, implying that such a feat is rare. It suggests that creating boredom on a large scale is not an easy task and thus indicates the presence of exceptional mediocrity rather than talent.
"The theatre is not a mirror held up to reality but a window looking into a sort of padded cell where the inmates are the playwright and the actors, and they have been given permission to be whatever they like as long as they stay inside."
Walter Kerr's quote suggests that the theater is not intended to reflect reality directly but rather creates a unique, imaginative space where playwrights and actors can freely express themselves and explore various characters and narratives, analogous to a "padded cell" of creativity. The freedom within this space allows them to transcend their real-world identities and step into different roles or versions of themselves, thereby offering audiences an escape from reality, as well as a deeper understanding and interpretation of the human experience.
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