Wrestling may seem to be nothing more than brute force and ignorance, says John Corrigan, but theatre would do well to learn from just how well the athletic theatre engages with its audience.
Despite the popular misconception that professional wrestling caters to society’s lowest common denominator, the sports-entertainment product is truly just athletic theatre. Behind the steel cages and piledrivers lies the story of good versus evil in which the villain pummels the hero until the hero overcomes the obstacles, or seeks revenge at the next opportunity. From the elaborate costumes to the pulsating entrance themes to the written dialogue, wrasslin’ has copied many elements of the stage.
Even knowing that, though, there are a few things that theatre can learn from pro wrestling... Keep reading on HowlRound
Despite the popular misconception that professional wrestling caters to society’s lowest common denominator, the sports-entertainment product is truly just athletic theatre. Behind the steel cages and piledrivers lies the story of good versus evil in which the villain pummels the hero until the hero overcomes the obstacles, or seeks revenge at the next opportunity. From the elaborate costumes to the pulsating entrance themes to the written dialogue, wrasslin’ has copied many elements of the stage.
Even knowing that, though, there are a few things that theatre can learn from pro wrestling... Keep reading on HowlRound