Acted drama requires surrender of one's self, sympathetic absorption in the play as it develops.
From George Pierce Baker
Back through the ages of barbarism and civilization, in all tongues, we find this instinctive pleasure in the imitative action that is the very essence of all drama.
But what is drama? Broadly speaking, it is whatever by imitative action rouses interest or gives pleasure.
Drama read to oneself is never drama at its best, and is not even drama as it should be.
Farce treats the improbable as probable, the impossible as possible.
In reading plays, however, it should always be remembered that any play, however great, loses much when not seen in action.
In the best farce today we start with some absurd premise as to character or situation, but if the premises be once granted we move logically enough to the ending.
We do not kill the drama, we do not really limit its appeal by failing to encourage the best in it; but we do thereby foster the weakest and poorest elements.
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