Many of us have experienced unforgettable 鈥� even transformative 鈥� moments at the theatre. These can provide audiences with unexpected insight, even making us gasp out aloud.
In Will Weigler鈥檚 new book, The Alchemy of Astonishment: Engaging the Power of Theatre, the Victoria director, actor and writer analyses what makes such moments so memorable.
While completing a Ph.D. in theatre at the University Victoria, Weigler wrote letters to hundreds of theatre professionals: Critics, directors, producers, playwrights, teachers. He asked a single question: Had they ever had a single unforgettable experience at the theatre?
The 100 responses he received formed the basis of his doctoral dissertation. This, in turn, has been adapted into The Alchemyof Astonishment, published by the University of Victoria. The 222-page book (which comes with a deck of teaching cards) is intended for those who facilitate community theatre projects. However, Weigler believes it will interest a much wider audience.
鈥淚t鈥檚 for anybody who loves theatre, to be able to see why that stuff works,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 hoping anyone who reads this will start to go to the theatre and say, 鈥榃hy, that鈥檚 why I love that so much.鈥� 鈥�
One of Weigler鈥檚 theories revolves around what calls the 鈥済est,鈥� that is, a physical manifestation in performance of a character鈥檚 relationship, emotional state, social circumstances or experience.
Here鈥檚 an example: In a production of Shakespeare鈥檚 Merchant of Venice, the actor playing Shylock鈥檚 daughter, Jessica, enacts a gest that conveys her innocence and social status. At one point, Jessica is thanked by Portia, a rich heiress. Filled with girlish gratitude, Jessica bounds across the stage and throws her arms around Portia. Courtiers looking on smirk at such gauche behaviour; however, Portia accepts the gesture with courtly grace and humanity. Within seconds, their personalities and the difference between their social stations are portrayed.
鈥淚t completely shows in the way [Jessica] greets her that she鈥檚 way out of her league socially. It鈥檚 like in society. You give someone a little kiss on the cheek, you don鈥檛 give them a big bear hug,鈥� Weigler said.
In analyzing what makes unforgettable theatre, Weigler came up with another category he calls 鈥渟hocking.鈥� This describes imagery, action or behaviour that pushes our notion of traditional social norms. This, in turn, can trigger a visceral reaction from the audience.
In The Alchemy of Astonishment Weigler relates a 1998 reunion show staged by Monty Python. At one point, John Cleese produced an urn which he explained contained the ashes of deceased member Graham Chapman.
The urn was 鈥渁ccidentally鈥� knocked over, spilling the contents and sending the members of Python scrambling. Initially shocked, the audience began laughing after realizing it was a gag (at one point Cleese licked a bit of the ash from his fingers).
鈥淒ifferent gifts鈥� is another of Weigler鈥檚 categories. This refers to a loving act when a 鈥済ift鈥� requires the giver to make a big personal sacrifice.
Weigler鈥檚 example of this is taken from sports, not theatre. In 2008, Sara Tucholsky, playing softball for Western Oregon College, was at bat. She hit the ball out of the park. However, while rounding first base, she tore a knee ligament and fell to the ground, unable to walk or run.
Her teammates wanted to help, but the umpire explained the run would be disqualified if they touched her. In a gesture of unusual generosity, members of the opposing team carried her all around the bases, allowing her to complete the home run with their help. Nothing in the rulebook prohibited this. For onlookers, many of them in tears, it was an unforgettable sight. 鈥淚t had such an impact,鈥� Weigler said. 鈥淭his little story about women鈥檚 softball game rippled across the country.鈥�
Weigler has been an applied theatre director, teacher and playwright for more than 25 years. One of his community play-building projects was transforming an empty 14,000-foot space at Uptown mall into a theatre labyrinth.
That project, called From the Heart: Enter Into the Journey of Reconciliation, delved into the relationships between non-indigenous and First Nations peoples. Thirty volunteers, mostly non-actors, performed self-created vignettes within a huge maze-like set.
Weigler believes The Alchemy of Astonishment will be useful as a tool for such community play-building 鈥� for him a life-long passion.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been transformative in my life. And what I鈥檝e done with this book, I鈥檝e found a way to enact it.鈥�
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Note: Weigler will speak at the Vancouver launch for The Alchemy of Astonishment on Tuesday. The free event runs 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Simon Fraser University鈥檚 Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre, Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 West Hastings St.The book is available at the University of Victoria鈥檚 book and Sorensen Books, 1048 Fort St.