History of Projections in Theatre

[threetwoone]

Posted: 3/30/13 at 2:52pm

A question for you theatre history buffs here.

I'm writing a paper on technology in theatre, specifically about projections and the opposing viewpoints of two 20th century artists. For pro projections, I've chosen one of the early pioneers of projections/film in the theatre, Erwin Piscator. He was a huge proponent of not just projections, but technology in the theatre in general. I wouldn't go so far as to say he is responsible for the state of projections in theatre today, but he certainly helped it.

My struggle right now is finding someone who is vehemently against the use of projections in theatre. I think it would be interesting to compare someone a little more contemporary, but I'll need to stay within the 20th century.

I'd love to hear if you guys have any names of playwrights, directors etc. who are against projections. I know many here aren't too keen on the increasing use of them, so I thought I'd pose the question here.

Thanks!

Updated On: 3/30/13 at 02:52 PM

[broadway guy]

Posted: 3/30/13 at 2:54pm

Against it.Looks tacky. The Guys and dolls revival looked cheap because of the projections.The show relied on gimmicks instead of craft.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 3/30/13 at 2:58pm

I believe Peter Wexler heavily used projections for The Happy Time in 1968. I am sure there were earlier examples but that was one thing that was often singled out about the musical (positively.)

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/30/13 at 3:03pm

Projections should be used only if it fits the material. And I would say not that often.

The 1995 revival of How To Succeed... had Megan Mullally trying to sing Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm while behind her were some of the silliest looking graphics ever seen. They didn't fit into the piece and pulled the attention of the audience away from her performance.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 3/30/13 at 3:06pm

More specific to your question there's this article where five designers (including Bill Dudley who did Woman in White's projections) talk about their use as sets http://livedesignonline.com/theatre/project-yourself

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/30/13 at 3:13pm

I studied with Madame Piscator (Erwin's widow) at NYU. She was a trip.

[BillyButler]

Posted: 3/30/13 at 4:14pm

http://www.tcg.org/publications/at/dec11/projection.cfm

"With the invention in the early 1900s of the Linnebach projector, projections became a theatrical tool. Erwin Piscator, the German director and producer, began working with them as early as 1925. Michael Hall, an authority on the history of lighting, cites technical articles dealing with projections that date back to the '20s; he notes that projections were used in West End shows such as Tobias and the Angel and Waltzes from Vienna, both staged in 1931."