Definition of Shadow Theater

The theater, one of the main entertainments of the people

The theater It is without doubt one of the most relevant arts and shows in the artistic history of humanity. Since the most ancient times he has been in charge of entertaining and bringing culture to the various communities.
Meanwhile, within the vast universe that it implies, we will be able to find different genres and also with certainly original and unique proposals, such is the case at hand in this review, the shadow theater ...

Generation of visual effects through the use of a powerful light source that will be projected on a smooth and white surface

The distinctive feature of this type of theatrical proposal is the generation of visual effects through the use of a powerful light source that will be projected on a smooth and white surface, the most usual thing can be a screen and a wall. Based on these conditions, the artists involved in the show will take care of representing the story in question on that screen and making use of their hands, bodies, among others elements.

The hands, the interpreters par excellence

Anyway we must say that they are the hands, the performers par excellence in this theater since through them and with the aforementioned visual setting it is possible to create figures of all kinds that will be the characters of the story.

Creation of prehistoric man in caves and from fire

But this theatrical proposal is not something contemporary, modern, far from it, since in reality this proposal comes from a long time and it would have been prehistoric man who discovered it by chance in his permanence in the caverns. There, when he lit the fire, he discovered that he could make shadows with the fire itself, that They would only be used for entertainment but would also be attributed a magical and ritual imprint, among other.

The Chinese shadows, antecedent

This practice led to the so-called Chinese shadows that are the antecedent of this type of theater.

Evolution but maintenance of the essence

Of course with the to run From time to time this proposal would evolve, that is, new elements would be incorporated to practice it with an artistic intention, for example fire is replaced by fire. light and the wall of the cavern by a smooth white wall, although, we must emphasize that the original idea was maintained, the essence imposed by prehistoric men who created.

Prague Black Theater

A variant that is associated with this type of theater is the so-called Black Theater of Prague, because it takes place precisely in this city of the Republic Czech and characterized by representing the story in a dark setting that only has one lighting that will be the one that plays the leading role of performing its characteristic play of light and shadows.