POSITIONING THE AFRICAN SCENOGRAPHIC IDIOM IN THE EUROPEAN THEATRICAL SPACE-A CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2010
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Uyo Journal of Cultural Research
Abstract
This paper examines scenography within the African theatre concept, vis-à vis the ideological pressure from its European precursor (scenographically).
It is important to understand the dilemma which African scenography faces
due to the transformations African theatre performance has gone through in
adapting to modern theatrical demands. These influences cannot be ignored
while trying to re-invent, reposition or re-assert the African environmental
portraiture in African theatrical performances. One of the factors remains the
play-text which informs design, irrespective • of its various sub-cultural
contexts. The other is space which accommodates the intended outcome
owing to the present status quo of theatre patrons and audiences. And the
third is the technology which aids and modifies the final picture of scenery. A
look at three categories of play shows that there is a shift in the portraiture
of their scenic environments and the search for relative independence of
each type.