Final answer:
The evaluation of a theatrical performance involves assessing original practices, historical accuracy, the actors' delivery, the director's artistic choices, and the constraints of the stage and actors. The successful suspension of disbelief by the audience also plays a crucial role in the experience of live theater.
Step-by-step explanation:
When evaluating a theatrical performance, several factors contribute to the overall experience. First, consider the original practices of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras, as implemented by the Atlanta Shakespeare company. These practices influence the choice of costumes, set design, and special effects like sound and lighting, all of which align with historical representations such as how a ghost would appear in broad daylight.
Actors must also maintain the delicate balance between historical accuracy and dramatic performance, which is particularly important in Museum Theatre. This involves repeating performances multiple times a day, and potentially improvising in response to audience interactions, similar to the approach taken at Fort Ticonderoga in Upstate New York with their blend of first, second, and third-person interpretations.
The director's choices such as lighting, set design like a black backdrop or the arrangement of props can be indicative of thematic elements, such as creating a mood of horror or symbolizing disorder. The actors' delivery, whether serious or comical, along with their actions and gestures, contribute to the meaning of the performance. It's essential to evaluate the performance not only on these creative decisions but also on the constraints and opportunities presented by the stage and the actors' proficiency.
An audience's willingness to suspend disbelief plays a vital role in the success of a performance, which requires a symbiotic relationship between the actors and the audience. The truthfulness of the fictional narrative comes to life if the performance is conducted convincingly.