In the best farce today we start with some absurd premise as to character or situation, but if the premises be once granted we move logically enough to the ending. George Pierce Baker absurdcharacterend Change image and share on social
In all the great periods of the drama perfect freedom of choice and subject, perfect freedom of individual treatment, and an audience eager to give itself to sympathetic listening, even if instruction be involved, have brought the great results. George Pierce Baker audiencebringchoice share on social
Rare is the human being, immature or mature, who has never felt an impulse to pretend he is some one or something else. George Pierce Baker felthumanimmature Change image and share on social
Out of the past come the standards for judging the present; standards in turn to be shaped by the practice of present-day dramatists into broader standards for the next generation. George Pierce Baker broaddaydramatist Change image and share on social
Back through the ages of barbarism and civilization, in all tongues, we find this instinctive pleasure in the imitative action that is the very essence of all drama. George Pierce Baker actionageback Change image and share on social
No drama, however great, is entirely independent of the stage on which it is given. George Pierce Baker dramagreatindependent Change image and share on social
The instinct to impersonate produces the actor; the desire to provide pleasure by impersonations produces the playwright; the desire to provide this pleasure with adequate characterization and dialogue memorable in itself produces dramatic literature. George Pierce Baker actoradequatecharacterization share on social
What then is tragedy? In the Elizabethan period it was assumed that a play ending in death was a tragedy, but in recent years we have come to understand that to live on is sometimes far more tragic than death. George Pierce Baker assumedeathelizabethan share on social
But what is drama? Broadly speaking, it is whatever by imitative action rouses interest or gives pleasure. George Pierce Baker actionbroadlydrama Change image and share on social
Sensitive, responsive, eagerly welcomed everywhere, the drama, holding the mirror up to nature, by laughter and by tears reveals to mankind the world of men. George Pierce Baker dramaeagerlyhold Change image and share on social
