Why did Keith Johnstone create theatresports?

2 years ago

3 minutes

The impetus of Keith Johnstone’s TheatreSports (1978) was not only motivated by his work at London’s Royal Court Theatre where he created an improvisational company called The Theatre Machine, but was also inspired by the antics of professional wrestling which he viewed as “working-class theatre.” Johnstone came up …

What is Theatresports in drama?

Theatresports is a form of improvisational theatre, which uses the format of a competition for dramatic effect. Opposing teams can perform scenes based on audience suggestions, with ratings by the audience or by a panel of judges.

What is the philosophy behind Theatresports?

Philosophy. Although staged as a competition, Theatresports has the philosophy that corniness and gags tend to lower the quality of scenes. The emphasis is on building characters and on spontaneous, collaborative storytelling.

Who are the two people that created modern improv?

After the Commedia died off, improv theatre faded into obscurity until it was separately and spontaneously re-invented by two people who have shaped the craft as it exists today — Keith Johnstone and Viola Spolin.

Who invented improvisation?

Viola Spolin

That was invented by Viola Spolin in Chicago in the early part of the 20th century.” Spolin was a social worker who invented improvisational games in order to get children to interact with each other, especially children who didn’t speak the same language.

When was improvisation created?

In all likelihood, improvisation began in prehistory, with two cavepeople trying to explain to another caveperson what they were doing in each other’s cavebeds. The earliest recorded example comes from the fourth century BC.

Is improvisation a sport?

The Global Competition

Much like the Olympics that inspired Japan’s Health and Sports Day, improv comedy can be a global competition. The Pirates have toured internationally 10 times, taking on groups in Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai.

What is the significance of Viola Spolin in educational theatre and improvisation?

Viola Spolin is often referred to as the “mother” of improvisational theatre. In partnership with her son, Paul Sills, she helped to train and to develop the original Second City ensemble. While this is notable and important to theatre and comedy history, her contributions have a potentially far wider scope.

When did Theatresports start in Australia?

When Theatresports first came to Sydney in 1985, there was a buzz around town: the newly-opened Belvoir St Theatre had a cult, sell-out Sunday night show. It was a style of performing called ‘impro’ – which at the time sounded like something impossible from another planet.