A falência da crítica: formas da crítica teatral na História do Teatro Brasileiro

Abstract

The Breakdown of Theatre Criticism: Types of Criticism in Brazil Theatre History To analyse the situation of theatre criticism in today's Brazil, in the face of vanishing traditional print media and a devastating theatre crisis, one must trace the lines of the country's theatre criticism history, from the 19th century to today, and understand the structural foundations of the theatre market. Nineteenth century trademarks — civilisational posture, professorial tone, personalism, colonialism and cultural submission — singed permanent action patterns on critics' outlook and in how spectacles were analysed. The 20th century, with modern theatre, the appearance of directors, the expansion of US influence and restless, imaginative actors, led to the birth of modern criticism. However, this renovation, born in confrontation with the world of the "old" actor's theatre of the homens de teatro — a theatre that could be enormously effective among the general public due to its popularity — had to present itself as an authoritarian, disqualifying practice. This tone survives on the stage and around it to this day. We have to understand its origin and historicity in order to seek renewed ways to analyse the theatrical fact.