Catharsis in the Theatre

Why does theatre continue to endure as a popular art form, millennia after its inception? Is it because of theatre’s ability to educate? To inform? To entertain? Or is there a more powerful, more intrinsic, more emotional component at play? Greek philosopher Aristotle identified the emotional response of the audience as an essential component of drama. He referred to this emotional process as ‘catharsis.’

In Aristotle’s Poetics catharsis is depicted as a purging of emotions, which the audience experiences as a release of tension at the denouement of a play. After identifying with the characters, internalizing their struggles, and experiencing the intensity of their emotions, the moment of catharsis has a cleansing effect; the audience breathes a sigh of relief as the final curtain goes down, and is refreshed from the emotional reset.

Though Aristotle predominantly applied this concept to works of tragedy, the term ‘catharsis’ has also been used to describe the feeling of release that a spectator experiences while watching a comedy. Though in the case of comedy, the catharsis is expressed as a release of laughter, rather than a release of tears.

Noises Off

Alley Theatre’s production of Noises Off is a hilarious farce about a failing theatrical production. The play is full of physical comedy, slapstick, and mistaken identity. But beneath the surface, Noises Off is also a poignant exploration of the human condition. The characters in Noises Off are all struggling with their own personal demons. They are lonely, insecure, and desperate for love and approval. The chaotic world of the play mirrors their own inner turmoil. Watching Noises Off can be a cathartic experience. It can help us laugh at our foibles and imperfections and remind us that we are not alone in our struggles.

Resident Acting Company member Elizabeth Bunch told the Houston Press, “The thing that [Noises Off] can give us is a catharsis. The idea that you can sit in a theater full of strangers and all completely let loose with abandon and enjoy riding a roller coaster before you’re prepared for them, before the people on stage appear to be prepared for them is a cathartic moment. People love experiencing this play because you can let loose and fully enjoy yourself.”

World Premiere The Janeiad by Anna Ziegler

Alley Theatre’s world premiere of The Janeiad is a powerful and moving drama following a woman who lost her husband during 9/11. It is a meditation on love, loss, and the human spirit. Watching The Janeiad can be a cathartic experience. It can help us to connect with our own emotions and to find meaning in seemingly meaningless tragedies. Though The Janeiad tells a story about 9/11, its message is far broader: it is a message about grief, and the way we identify with stories as a way to cope.