Actor's role - what is it?

Many, reflecting on the actor's talent, thought about such a definition as the role of the artist. Today we will talk about this and try to understand: the role is a verdict, a stamp that, according to Stanislavsky, does not allow the actor to develop his individuality, or still the opportunity to understand in which roles the gift will manifest itself particularly clearly.

So, what is it?

The word "role" came to us from the French language, where it means "a place, a post, a way of application". In the theatrical art, this word defines the roles in which the actor is primarily engaged , depending on his psychological and physical characteristics, while not forgetting about his level of skill and technique of play.

How did the notion of "role" appear in theatrical art? What did this word mean in the 15th century?

In the European theater in the second half of the 15th century, a division of actors by type occurred. The first and oldest, as you understand, was the role of tragedian and comedian, who appeared in ancient Greece, and then they were joined by such allegorical images as Good, Envy, Reason, and also a fool (jester), demon, etc. .

Later, already in the 17th century, among the theatrical images appear kings, tyrants, beauties, heroes, villains. There is a growing interest in the individual, and with it the role of the actors playing them increases.

In the Catherine Theater in Russia, by the decree of the Empress, the troupe was recruited strictly according to characters: a hero, a simpleton (comic line), a noble father, a veil, a heroine, a comic old woman, a travesty, an engineer, a subreth. This selection of actors allowed the theater to perform both tragedies and comic performances.

How did the acting role expand?

Actors a clear role helped deep to get used to the image, picking up techniques, accurately and vividly depicting the hero. But with the development of theatrical art and drama, they could no longer be within the framework of a single mask image, and therefore a tendency appeared among the actors to break it, playing both comic and tragic roles. This led to a more subtle and ambiguous game, as well as to a deep and comprehensive perception by the viewer of the situation shown on the stage.

Has the role of the actor disappeared? What does this concept mean now?

Development in the 20 century. Avant-garde forms of theatrical art again returned us "masks" - the role of the actor. As an example, we can cite the "Raikin Theater", which actively uses this technique.

But the rest of the theater and cinema actors also sometimes can not get rid of their role completely. After all, we all understand that often the type, the features of appearance or the manner of play predetermine the roles for the artist, to which he will be invited most often. And to break this stereotype is almost impossible.

And again about the role

So, the actor's role - what is it? Is it good or bad to get bogged down in a type, in a limited sense of their capabilities? Unfortunately, there is no unambiguous answer to this question. Variety is the unique ability of the actor to shine equally brightly in any image. But, selecting for the role of performer, the director will still rely on his external data, because it is difficult to imagine a caulking girl, playing the role of Caterina in the "Thunderstorm." So while there is an acting profession, there will be an actor's role.