Magical Realism in the Theatre
Magical realism, initially coined within the realm of visual arts by German critic Franz Roh in 1925, later found articulation in the literary domain through Cuban author Alejo Carpentier in 1949. Characterised by the seamless coexistence of the mundane and the fantastical, the natural and the supernatural, this genre blurs the distinction between ordinary reality and magical elements. In magical realism, the incorporation of fantastical components is accepted unquestionably, neither eliciting surprise nor disbelief from the characters within the story.
Distinctive Features
Central to magical realism is the juxtaposition of the fantastical with the realistic in such a manner that the former is accepted as a natural part of the world’s fabric. This renders the surreal components unremarkable to the characters within the play, even if their coexistence would be logically infeasible in a purely realistic setting.
Core Elements in Theatrical Magical Realism
As theatre continually evolves, there is a burgeoning interest in integrating magical realism into dramatic works. The genre allows for creative latitude, often encompassing the following elements:
1. Non-Human Characters
In magical realism, characters frequently transcend human limitations, emerging as anthropomorphic or celestial beings that blur the distinction between the human and the supernatural. These figures are integral to the narrative, performing dual roles: they both enchant the audience and serve as complex metaphors or allegories, thereby enriching the thematic fabric of the work.
2. Temporal Fluidity
In magical realism, the concept of time is often fluid, manifesting as non-linear, cyclical, or ambiguous temporal structures that defy conventional delineations of past, present, and future. This temporal flexibility not only creates an enchanting atmosphere but also facilitates intricate thematic exploration through mechanisms like flashbacks, time loops, and prolepsis.
3. Characters with Supernatural Powers
In magical realism, characters often possess extraordinary abilities that are seamlessly integrated into everyday life. These powers are treated as unremarkable, a feature that both heightens the genre’s unique blend of the ordinary and fantastical and enriches the audience’s experience of magical realism.
4. Alternate Realities
In magical realism, characters often navigate multiple realms, including settings that defy natural laws, existing alongside recognisable reality. These otherworldly landscapes are not mere settings but active elements that imbue the narrative with ethereal allure and complexity.
5. Pervasive Sense of Mystery
An undercurrent of enigma or secrets, often challenging characters and the audience alike to decipher the indiscernible. Intrinsic to the genre, a sense of mystery evokes a sense of inscrutable yet palpable fear. This mysterious essence enhances the enigmatic allure of the genre, inviting readers to explore the labyrinthine intricacies it weaves.
6. Eerie Atmospheres
In magical realism, sound, lighting, and mise-en-scène collaborate to create an atmosphere that blends the ordinary with the extraordinary. This fusion unsettles the boundaries between reality and otherness, generating paradoxical spaces that are both enchanting and disconcerting.
7. Inexplicable Phenomena
In magical realism, extraordinary events are accepted as natural occurrences within the play’s world, enriching its everyday fabric. These inexplicable instances defy rational explanation, offering a unique perspective on perceived reality.
8. Incorporation of Myths and Legends
In magical realism, cultural myths, folklore, and archetypes are seamlessly integrated into the narrative. This deliberate blending serves to bend reality, enriching the story’s depth and imbuing it with cultural significance.
9. Atypical Temporal Shifts
In magical realism, abrupt temporal shifts or mergers of different time periods often structure the narrative. Instead of linear progression, the timeline fluctuates among past, present, and future, imbuing the story with a timeless quality.
10. Realisation of the Unreal
In magical realism, fantastical elements seamlessly manifest as tangible reality within the play’s context. These surreal moments enrich the narrative, creating a form of fantastical realism that resonates with audiences.
11. Existential and Spiritual Motifs
Themes concerning existentialism, spirituality, and the essence of reality are recurrent, examined through the interplay of both realistic and magical elements.
12. Intricate Storytelling
The narratives often feature multi-dimensional story arcs, utilising diverse perspectives or even unreliable narrators to heighten the sense of enigma and allure.
13. Regional Nuances and Cultural Distinctiveness
The environments frequently exhibit a pronounced sense of local identity or unique cultural traits, which engage dynamically with the fantastical components.
14. Linguistic Versatility
The script or dialogue often employs a diverse range of linguistic and poetic constructs, such as magical incantations, cultural idioms, and lyrical passages.
Notable Magical Realism Plays
1. Angels in America
Tony Kushner’s seminal work “Angels in America,” where ethereal beings and spiritual quests are intertwined with the grim reality of the AIDS crisis.
2. Marisol
“Marisol” by José Rivera, a dystopian drama replete with apocalyptic visions and celestial characters
3. The Clean House
Sarah Ruhl’s “The Clean House,” a domestic drama imbued with surreal elements and a multi-dimensional portrayal of reality.
4. The House of the Spirits
Adapted by Caridad Svich from Isabel Allende’s novel, this play incorporates familial history with political upheaval, punctuated by spirits and unexplained phenomena.
2018 I did Masquerade by Aussie playwright Kate Mulvany. It was the most beautiful show I’ve ever been a part of! We discussed it as a mixture of magical realism, musical theatre and children’s theatre.
This year I’m doing The Unravelling by UK playwright Fin Kennedy. Also some super cool magical realism stuff, with slight influences of Epic theatre.
Does anyone know if there are any good filmed live productions of any of these Australian Magical Realism plays?
Magic Realism plays by Australian authors:
Away by Michael Gow
The 7 Stages of Grieving by Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman
The Year Nick McGowan Came to Stay by Rebecca Sparrow
Summer Wonderland by Matthew Ryan
Neighbourhood Watch by Lally Katz
Home by Margi Brown Ash
At Sea, Staring Up by Finegan Kruckemeyer
Prehistoric by Marcel Dorney
Wet Dogs by Stephen Davis
Headspace by Brad Jennings
The Trolleys by Sara West
Fight With All Your Might The Zombies Of Tonight by Matthew Whittet
Blue Bones by Merlynn Tong
Oedipus Doesn’t Live Here Anymore by Daniel Evans
Wonder Fly by Nick Atkins
Spontaneous Human Combustion by Daniel Evans
Chasing the Whale by Matthew Ryan
Feather in the Web by Nick Coyle
Charlie Pilgrim by Sam O’Sullivan
Brisbane by Matthew Ryan
It’s an important discussion in short. Thank you, Justin. Would you give a detail list of dramas which contain magic realism?
Thanks for that Justin. We have been currently discussing Magic Realism in my Year 12 class with one of our Contemporary Australian texts we are studying – ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ by Lally Katz. Thanks for summing it up so well.