![]() Performances of Kannada Theatre Performance of Kannada theatre mainly consisted of tremendous acting. The performances were enacted by men, even the role of female was done by men. The stage, lighting, set designing, and scenery played a crucial part in the performance. The make up used or costumes worn, both exuded simplicity, yet justified the role brilliantly. Lead actors had their own make up boxes. It was on this box the lamp was placed and all the actors sat around, with small mirrors in hands while colouring the faces. The size of the mirror usually indicated the status of the actor. Plays of Kannada Theatre ![]() Playhouses in Kannada Theatre Even after the turning of century, the old stages have been persisted with. With time the performances of the troupes have improved and became more natural and imposing. The troupes with more money arranged tents to provide better accommodation to audience and the less privileged ones suffered. In the cities, however, the halls lacked spaces. So a tradition of constructing new playhouses and stages was kick started by the Palace Company of Mysore in the later part of last century. The Gubbi Company, during its extensive touring of South India after 1935, had to move only in special trains because of its huge equipment and personnel. Not all playhouses that were built had proper amenities, but most of them took care of the basic requirements. Stage Setting in Kannada Theatre For most part of the nineteenth century, the main theme was based on Gods, Kings and Queens, and the plays mainly went on for five hours at stretch. This five hours duration continued till 1928, and after serious criticism from the audiences and critics, the length of plays were reduced to about four hours by 1940. During this period the idea of stage setting and scenery was taken care of in order to creating and sustaining the illusion of the drama. The theatre troupes realized the significance of scenery, costumes and settings, hence laid more emphasis on the same. In order to add flavour to a performance music too played a key role. The use of music has always been rampant in professional and amateur theatre of Karnataka. The music was mainly influenced by folk tunes. Women in Kannada Theatre ![]() |