SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LIVE THEATRE AND THE OTHER MEDIA: A METAPHOR OF THE EPIPHYTE

Abstract

The relationship between live and mediated has evolved to become a subject of increasing scholarly interest, particularly in the digital era, where access to theatre performance can be provided by media technology such as film, television, video, internet and handheld devices. Whereas live theatre relies on spatial compresence and temporal simultaneity, mediated theatre depends on technology to reach remote audiences. However, how such a relationship manifests in terms of positive and negative effects has remained largely underexplored. This study seeks to explore the symbiotic relationship between the two forms, using the botanical concepts of metamorphosis and the epiphyte. The main objective is to establish whether the relationship between live and mediated theatre in the Ghanaian context is parasitic, mutualistic and communalistic. Using a qualitative research approach, the study employs semi-structured interviews with theatre practitioners, digital media practitioners, as well as live and remote theatre audiences to establish how the rapid growth and development of media technology has impacted the fortunes of live theatre in Ghana. The research is anchored on the concept of the epiphyte to provide a deeper understanding of how the rapid development of media transmission technology affects audience choices, theatrical authenticity and artistic integrity of theatre. The study aims to contribute to scholarly discourse on the future of live theatre in the digital era. The findings inform theatre practitioners, scholars and policy makers on strategies to sustain theatre in Ghana.