Finally, an end to Deadly Theatre?

by guestofaguest · November 12, 2007

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    [Source: Associated Press]

    Theatre snobs everywhere have something to rejoice about. Broadway has come to a halt. The Stage Hands have begun their anticipated walkout and set up picket lines in Times Square. Over 25 shows have been affected including, Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, Rent, and Hairspray.

    Peter Brook, the very man who coined the phrase "Deadly Theatre" must be happy as a pig in mud. In his own words:

    The condition of the Deadly Theatre at least is fairly obvious...There are occasional new movements, good new writers and so on, but as a whole the theater not only fails to elevate or instruct, it hardly even entertains. The theater has often been called a whore, meaning its art is impure, but today this is true in another sense–whores take the money and then go short on the pleasure. … [The Empty Space]

    There you have it, Broadway is a whore and this weekend she started really going short on the pleasure. Well New Yorkers also have something to rejoice about too. No more shows means a reduction in the Bridge and Tunnel masses on the weekends...at least temporarily.