Black Light Theatre

(in Czech černé divadlo) or simply Black Theatre, is a theatrical performance style characterized by the use of black box theatre augmented by black light illusion. This form of theatre originated from Asia and can be found in many places around the world. It has become a speciality of Prague, where many theatres use it.[1]

The distinctive characteristics of "black theatre" are the use of black curtains, a darkened stage, and "black lighting" (UV light), paired with fluorescent costumes in order to create intricate visual illusions. This "black cabinet" technique was used by Georges Méliès, and by theatre revolutionary Stanislavsky. The technique, paired with the expressive artistry of dance, mime and acrobatics of the performers is able to create remarkable spectacles.[2]

Optics

A key principal of Black Light Theatre is the inability of the human eye to distinguish black objects from a black background. This effect results in effective invisibility for any objects not illuminated by the 'black light'.[2] The second optical principal behind Black Light Theatre is the effect of UV light on fluorescent objects. Black lights actually emit as much light as 'normal' lights, but at a frequency that humans cannot detect. While most objects either absorb UV light or reflect it back at the same frequency at which it came in, fluorescent objects absorb UV light then re-emit it a longer wavelength that human eyes can detect.[3] The combined effect is that designers can make some objects appear as bright as if the room were fully lighted, while making other objects appear as dark as if the room were completely dark.

History

The 'black box trick' of using performers dressed in black in a dark playing space has been in use for millennia, starting with the jugglers performing for the emperor in ancient China.[4] Japan developed this technique in its Bunraku Theatre by having puppeteers wear black in order to place complete emphasis on the puppet.[5] In modern theatre the black box trick has been adopted up by Russian director Stanislavski, film director George Melies, and various French avantgarde directors of the 1950s. Among these directors, George Lafaille became an earlier pioneer of black cabinet.[2] But all these directors used the simple trick of black cabinet just for few moments during their performances mostly to make something on the stage disappear. However the true father of Black Light Theatre, author of the principe of black cabinet as is used nowadays (placement of spot lights, placement of uv lights, selection of black velvet as the best material to absorb residual light on the scene...) and even author of the name "Black Light Theatre" and so the creator of the 1st Black Light Theatre in the World is Mr. Jiri Srnec. The very first performance of the ensemble, which had already brought international attention, took place in 1959 in Vienna. The real debut for the ensemble, however, was its participation in the Theatre Festival in Edinburgh in 1962. The performance, held in a sold-out festival arena was awarded by tumultuous ovation, which opened the way for Jiří Srnec Black Light Theatre to the world stages. Many more

performances in Europe, America, Australia, Africa, and Asia followed. By now, the theatre organized about 300 international tours and participated in 77 theatre festivals. Under the artistic leadership of Jiří Srnec, the ensemble was applauded both by the audience and the critics. After international acclaim gained by Srnec Theatre in the late 80s another groups using the technique of black box appeared.[6] By the late 1980s Prague's National Black Light Theatre company was taking the unique Black Light Theatre style on tour throughout Europe.[7] Today many Czech Black Light Theatre companies take their most popular shows on world tours.[1][8][9] However original is only one which has been acknowledged by the Czech President – on 28 October 2011 Jiří Srnec, the founder of the Black Light Theatre, was awarded the highest state decoration (Credit of the State in the Field of Culture and Arts Medal). Srnec Theatre belongs among the most important representatives of the Czech art in the world.[10]

In Performance

The effect of Black Light Theatre allows invisible performers to move visible props, turning the objects into independent participants in the theatre at the same level as the human actors.[2] Furthermore, the appearance of objects and actors in a performance can be sudden and can occur anywhere on stage, even within a few meters of an audience member.[9] In order to achieve this effect it is necessary to create an intense field of UV light throughout the entire playing space. Because the intensity of light emitted from a typical 'black light' source diminishes significantly with increased distance from the source, covering an entire theatre space with UV light requires either that the 'black light' sources be spaced as close as one meter apart or emit much more light than a typical 'black light'.[11] Another important consideration is that, since most of the space is completely dark, and the form is heavily dance based, a single wrong move by a single performer can negatively impact the entire production. For this reason performers train extensively specifically for the Black Light Theatre environment.[1]

Contemporary Black Light Theatre often includes many highly technical devices, in addition to the standard 'black light' technique. Such devices can include "flying" performers, large video projections, and even massive puppets.[2] These technical devices serve as a significant factor in Black Light Theatre's worldwide popularity; since its most important devices are entirely visual, audiences throughout the world can understand most Black Light Theatre performances.[12] The intended result is a theatrical work that combines grand spectacle with beautiful and moving art.[2] Major companies currently producing Black Light Theatre include Srnec Theatre, Ta Fantastika Theatre, Image Theatre, Metro Theatre, and All Colours Theatre