I feel there's a power in theatre, but it's an indirect power.
I feel there's a power in theatre, but it's an indirect power. It's like the relationship of the sleeper to the unconscious. You discover things you can't afford to countenance in waking life. You can forget them, remember them a day later or not have any idea what they are about.
Hear the vision of Tony Kushner, who declared: “I feel there’s a power in theatre, but it’s an indirect power. It’s like the relationship of the sleeper to the unconscious. You discover things you can’t afford to countenance in waking life. You can forget them, remember them a day later or not have any idea what they are about.” In these words he unveils the mystery of the stage, where shadows and symbols reveal truths too deep for daylight.
He names the power in theatre, not as the loud command of armies or kings, but as a quiet force that seeps into the soul. It is indirect power, subtle yet enduring, working not by decree but by suggestion, stirring the heart in ways the mind may not immediately grasp. Like seeds hidden in the earth, its effect grows unseen until the moment of recognition.
He likens it to the relationship of the sleeper to the unconscious. In dreams, the soul speaks in riddles and visions, unveiling fears, desires, and truths too great to confront with open eyes. So too does theatre reveal the hidden self—through masks, characters, and stories, it allows us to face what we would deny, cloaking revelation in the garments of art.
Kushner reminds us that what is revealed may be forgotten, remembered later, or never fully understood. Such is the nature of deep truths: they resist capture, yet leave their imprint. A single performance may awaken questions or stir emotions long after the curtain falls, working silently upon the heart until wisdom emerges.
Therefore, O seekers, remember: the true power of theatre is not in spectacle alone, but in its ability to lead the soul into the hidden chambers of itself. It speaks as dreams speak, obliquely yet profoundly, unveiling what we fear to know yet need to hear. In Kushner’s words we hear the wisdom of the ancients—that art is a mirror of the unconscious, and through it, the sleeper may awaken. Would you like me to render this as a parable of the dream-play, where a wandering soul discovers truth hidden in the masks of actors?
BMBedo Men
Tony Kushner’s quote about theatre’s indirect power reminds me of how deeply art can affect us, even when we don’t fully understand it in the moment. The idea that theatre is like the unconscious mind, revealing hidden truths, is compelling. But can this also be unsettling for the audience? What happens when theatre reveals something so powerful or uncomfortable that it disrupts our sense of reality? How do we process that experience afterward?
TXTv Xu
I love the concept of theatre having an indirect power, as Tony Kushner puts it. It seems to suggest that theatre isn’t just about entertainment—it’s a way to delve into the psyche. But how do playwrights and directors create this kind of experience for an audience? What makes theatre so uniquely capable of touching on subconscious emotions, compared to other art forms like film or literature? Is the live element key to this emotional depth?
TTbui thi thanh thu
Tony Kushner’s analogy of theatre to the unconscious is powerful. It makes me think about the way theatre can surface feelings and ideas that we don’t often confront. But does theatre have the same impact on everyone, or does it depend on the person’s willingness to engage with the content? Can a play be truly transformative for someone who’s not open to exploring their own unconscious fears or desires?
SVCty TNHH Viet Sao Vang
I’m intrigued by Tony Kushner’s idea that theatre has an indirect power, much like the unconscious mind. It’s as though watching a play can bring up emotions or realizations that we weren’t consciously aware of. But can this be dangerous? What if the truths revealed are too overwhelming or unsettling for the audience? How do actors and playwrights balance the need to uncover deep truths with the responsibility to protect the audience’s emotional well-being?
TTLien Trinh Thi
Tony Kushner’s reflection on the indirect power of theatre is fascinating. It suggests that theatre works like the unconscious mind—revealing truths and emotions that we may not be able to process in our waking life. It makes me wonder, how much of theatre’s power lies in its ability to tap into deep, often hidden parts of the human experience? Can art like this truly change us, even if we don’t fully understand it in the moment?