A man who strains himself on the stage is bound, if he is any good, to strain all the people sitting in the stalls.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A performer who exerts great effort on stage will inevitably cause the audience to feel that same intensity or tension.
- In plain terms
- If an actor works hard on stage, the audience will feel the strain too.
- What can you take from it?
- Artistic effort resonates physically and emotionally with the observer.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does your effort affect others?
- Is strain necessary for good art?
Another view
Not all audiences feel the strain if they are disengaged.
More from Bertolt Brecht
People remain what they are even if their faces fall apart.
Permalink to quote #1 The theater-goer in conventional dramatic theater says: Yes, I've felt that way, too. That's the way I am. That's life. That's the way it will always be. The s…
Permalink to quote #3 Let nothing be called natural In an age of bloody confusion, Ordered disorder, planned caprice, And dehumanized humanity, lest all things Be held unalterable!
Permalink to quote #4
Related quotes
Mark: Um. I don't know Hayley. I don't know. Because I admire the fact that you keep challenging yourself. You know, last week was an enormous challenge for yo…
Hayley JensenHayley Jensen quote #9 Each play worth seeing should be watched a second time on the faces of the audience.
Princess Elizabeth BibescoPrincess Elizabeth Bibesco quote #9 [Malipiero's advice to Casanova.] If you wish your audience to cry, you must shed tears yourself, but if you wish to make them laugh you must contrive to look …
Giacomo CasanovaGiacomo Casanova quote #22