Blindness and Spectatorship in Ancient and Modern Theatres: Towards New Ways of Looking and Looking Back

The use of disability as a metaphor in popular culture, particularly in myths, stereotypes, and tropes around blindness, is explored in this book. It argues for a new way of seeing and understanding classical reception by offering assemblage-thinking as an alternative to the presumed passivity of classical influence. The theatre is the ideal space to investigate new ways of seeing.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 14 December 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The pervasive metaphorical use of disability in popular culture is particularly evident in the myths, stereotypes, and tropes surrounding blindness. The concept of blindness extends beyond mere visual impairment and encompasses a range of meanings, including a lack of understanding, immorality, proximity to death, exceptional insight, or second sight. These meanings associated with blindness have existed since ancient times, and while they have been established, readers, receivers, and spectators of classical works have been implicated in perpetuating these stereotypes. This book proposes a fresh perspective on classical reception by advocating for assemblage-thinking as an alternative to the perceived passivity of classical influence. Moreover, the theatre, often mistakenly perceived as a primarily visual medium, serves as an ideal platform for exploring innovative ways of seeing.

Blindness has been employed as a shorthand for various concepts throughout history, including a lack of understanding, immorality, closeness to death, exceptional insight, or second sight. These meanings were established in antiquity and have persisted to the present day, largely due to the perpetuation of stereotypes by audiences. While these meanings have been established for centuries, readers, receivers, and spectators of classical works have played a role in perpetuating these stereotypes.

Theatre, as a medium, has been incorrectly assumed to be primarily a visual one. However, this perception is misleading, as the theatre possesses the potential to explore new ways of seeing and understanding. By examining the ways in which blindness is represented on stage, theatre artists can challenge traditional perceptions and offer alternative perspectives on the world.

One approach to exploring new ways of seeing is through the use of assemblage-thinking. Assemblage-thinking is a concept that emerged in the late 20th century and refers to the process of combining different elements, such as images, sounds, and text, to create a new meaning or narrative. In the context of theatre, assemblage-thinking can be used to create new interpretations of classical works and to challenge traditional stereotypes.

For example, a theatre production that explores the concept of blindness could use assemblage-thinking to create a multi-sensory experience that incorporates visual, auditory, and textual elements. The production could incorporate visual representations of blindness, such as actors wearing blindfolds or using props to simulate blindness. Audiovisual elements, such as sound effects and music, could be used to create a sense of isolation and disorientation that is often associated with blindness. Textual elements, such as dialogue and narration, could be used to explore the experiences of blind characters and to challenge the stereotypes that surround them.

Another approach to exploring new ways of seeing is through the use of immersive theatre techniques. Immersive theatre involves creating a sense of immersion for the audience by using techniques such as sensory deprivation, interactive technology, and physical movement. By creating an immersive environment, theatre artists can encourage the audience to engage with the material in new and innovative ways.

For example, an immersive theatre production that explores the concept of blindness could use sensory deprivation techniques to create a sense of isolation and disorientation for the audience. The production could use interactive technology to allow the audience to explore the world of a blind character and to experience the challenges that they face. Physical movement could be used to create a sense of movement and exploration that is often associated with blindness.

In conclusion, the metaphorical use of disability in popular culture is pervasive, particularly in the myths, stereotypes, and tropes surrounding blindness. The concept of blindness extends beyond mere visual impairment and encompasses a range of meanings, including a lack of understanding, immorality, proximity to death, exceptional insight, or second sight. While these meanings have been established for centuries, readers, receivers, and spectators of classical works have played a role in perpetuating these stereotypes. The theatre, as a medium, possesses the potential to explore new ways of seeing and understanding by incorporating assemblage-thinking and immersive theatre techniques. By challenging traditional perceptions and offering alternative perspectives, theatre artists can create a more inclusive and diverse cultural landscape.

Weight: 594g
Dimension: 162 x 237 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009372770