The Theatrical Game: The Utility of the Useless

Abstract

Introduction: In recent centuries, game has been a topic of study and discussion for various disciplines of human knowledge. This essay focuses its critical and reflective gaze on a specific type of game: the theatrical game and its ‘productive’ potential for the construction of new and diverse realities. Development: The gaze is directed towards the game in relation to the playfulness-productive dialogue and towards the world of the players in their action, experimentation and creation of the theatrical game. This is explored based on Johan Huizinga’s postulates of playfulness, and they are complemented with the views of Bolívar Echeverría on an ethos of the game, Roger Caillois on types of games, and Petronio Cáceres on notes of the game in the theater. Conclusion: A revaluation of the playfulness is proposed within the productive (aesthetic) values that theatrical game can have.