It is Ireland's sacred duty to send over, every few years, a playwright to save the English theater from inarticulate glumness.
Kenneth TynanRead
Drama criticism ... is a self-knowing account of the way in which one's consciousness has been modified during an evening at the theatre.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on how the experience of watching a theatrical performance can alter one's perception and understanding.
Kenneth Tynan's quote emphasizes the transformative power of theatre, suggesting that drama criticism is not just an assessment of a play, but a profound exploration of how the theatre experience can reshape an individual's consciousness. It implies that attending a performance is a deeply personal journey where one's thoughts and feelings are engaged and altered by the art of storytelling.
Themes
TheatreDramaCriticismConsciousnessExperience
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the impact of live performances, I would use this quote to highlight how theatre can change perspectives.
More from Kenneth Tynan
All quotes →Art is a private thing, the artist makes it for himself; a comprehensible work is the product of a journalist. We need works that are strong, straight, precise, and forever beyond understanding.
Kenneth TynanRead
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