Read this exclusive guest post from M. L. Rio about theatre and crime, and then make sure to sign in and comment below for a chance to win a signed copy of her stunning debut, If We Were Villains!
In Shakespeare’s day, live theatre was believed to be so emotionally affective that people watching a play might uncontrollably holler out their own sins if they saw something similar performed onstage. “I have heard,” Hamlet says, “That guilty creatures, sitting at a play, / Have by the very cunning of the scene / Been struck so to the soul that presently / They have proclaim'd their malefactions.” So the idea for the infamous play-within-a-play, The Mousetrap, is conceived.
We, as a culture, are obsessed with crime. In the age of cop dramas, legal thrillers, and murder documentaries, it can be difficult to tell where violence ends and entertainment begins. In this way, we’re not so different from early modern theatregoers; the playhouses of Shakespeare’s London were populated by robbers, killers, and cannibals, and if that wasn’t gruesome enough, you could always come back for some good old-fashioned bear-baiting. Theatre has always been a bloodsport.
But why? I think the answer is buried even deeper in our history, in the Greek theatre and the concept of κάθαρσις—or catharsis: the idea that cleansing or purification may be achieved through art. A modern cognate might be “getting it out of your system,” whatever “it” may be.
Theatre is inherently voyeuristic; we buy popcorn and settle into our seats to revel in the private love and grief and shame of other human beings. It’s a little despicable when you think about it. But it might also be what keeps us all from turning into Charlie Manson. Here’s where catharsis comes in: when we see all our morbid curiosities—or, equally possible but rather more frightening, what Macbeth might call our “black and deep desires”—played out onstage, it’s like scratching a moral itch. We experience the crime vicariously, especially in a play like Macbeth where the audience is, from start to finish, party to and complicit in the characters’ bloody deeds (whether they want to be or not). Theatre satisfies our strange human appetite for physical and emotional violence. Theatre invites us inside a criminal mind. Theatre lets us get away with murder.
To me, this odd marriage of theatre and crime actually makes perfect sense; art and violence are both acts of passion. In the interest of real-world self-preservation, we spend a lot of time and energy hiding our emotions, trying not to look vulnerable, playing it cool. All the same, we crave passionate action. So we turn to the theatre where we can live vicariously through the prince of Denmark, the king of Scotland, or the citizens of Rome. We witness their murders and regicides and assassinations, we feel their ambition and envy and outrage, and when all the “carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts” are done, we get up and go home, satisfied.
Read an excerpt from If We Were Villains!
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If We Were Villains Comment Sweepstakes: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase does not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of 50 United States, D.C., and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18 years or older as of the date of entry. To enter, complete the “Post a Comment” entry at https://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2017/04/crime-and-theatre-comment-sweepstakes beginning at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) April 12, 2017. Sweepstakes ends 11:59 a.m. ET April 25, 2017. Void outside the United States and Canada and where prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules here. Sponsor: Macmillan, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010.
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M. L. Rio has worked in bookstores and theatres for years, and is currently pursuing her MA in Shakespeare Studies at King’s College London. If We Were Villains is her debut novel.
With a background in both theater and law enforcement, I can certinly appreciate this one…
Read the excerpt…it could’ve been a Poirot mystery!
Well said. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of what looks like a great read.
I count certain Ngaio Marsh novels, taking place in a theatre, as among my favourite.
I remember in the Ft. Worth area some years ago that a high school girl, upon reading Hamlet with her class, confessing to killing her father with poison a few years before. Before that, natural causes had been the supposed manner of death. She was convicted of his murder.
As a stage manager and lifelong fan of Shakespeare and mysteries, I can’t wait to read this book. thanks for the chance to win!
I don’t think I will ever yell anything incriminating when I watch “Hamlet.”
how interesting
Wow. I’ve always loved theatre. This sure gives me something to think about. Wish me luck!
Sounds like a fascinating story, would love to read.
Sounds like a fun read!
This would be great, thanks.
I would like to read this one.
two of my favorite things…combined!
I would like this.
Looks like a great read! Thanks!
Fascinating and informative. Thanks for this giveaway.
Theatre always is captivating especially Shakespeare. Wonderful.
Such an interesting feature which interests me greatly.
my curiosity is aroused!!
I would love to win this, to read myself and then share with my theatre manager cousin.
A must read for me..on my TBR list now.
Hope to win !
I would love to read the book.
Interesting. Think I would enjoy reading this book.
I love all things Shakespeare – I was a pre med major in college who took an amazing Shakespearean course. The professor was awesome – his classes were always packed. He acted out scenes and had crowds auditing his lectures.
Interesting points arguments! I’m looking forward to reading your book.
I’m reminded by this essay of something a screenwriting teacher says, which is that an audience wants to go on a journey with the main character. They want to invest themselves.
I’m reminded by this essay of something a screenwriting teacher says, which is that an audience wants to go on a journey with the main character. They want to invest themselves.
Fascinating storyline!
Shakepearian plot! I’m sold. Hope I win!!
Great excerpt. And while I haven’t shouted out my sins yet, I must admit I am obsessed with (reading about) crime.
Interesting precept.
Would love to win!
read the post-it was interesting
Interesting
This one sounds really good
Yes, please!
sounds like a fun one
Thanks for the opportunity!!
Sounds great!
Sounds great!
Sounds great!
Sounds great!
Sounds wonderful! I want to read it.
Aren’t all criminals theatrical? Prentending to be something they are not. Smarter, better, stronger in their minds.
Yelling out your sins during Shakespearean times at plays reminds me in a way of participating from the crowd while at The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
To be! Yes!
Is there anythng better than Shakespeare ! Oh, Romeo, I would die to win.
I’d enjoy reading a mystery where words mean so much.
Sounds very interesting!
Sounds like a funny read.
Count me in, please!
Looks great!
Please enter me in this sweepstakes.
Thanks —
Would love to enter to win!
“Crime and Punishment” by Dostoyevsky – just fascinating!
I know that I watch many movies, just as I read many books, to live vicariously through them. This book should be interesting.
I would love to read this one.
Just look at how many authors decide to introduce a gun to their pl0t or play to heighten interest and suspense. That changes the rules and ups the drama and helps maintain interest.
Not sure how I would react if I were at a play and an audience member confessed to a crime.
Not sure how I would react if I were at a play and an audience member confessed to a crime.
I look forward to reading this one.
Sounds interesting!
Sounds interesting!
Sounds really great.
Would love to read this.
sounds like a geed read
This is a WINNER!!
Hope I WIN!!
What a great combination to write about!
Interesting combination for a mystery
All interesting. Learned most of it in drama class. Still, want the book.
sounds like a good read for on the train into work
I can’t wait to read this book – thanks for the chance to win a copy.
This sounds like a great read. I enjoy the theater ever so much and I especially like to read and see Shakespeare’s plays.
I was so looking for a new author…and the combo of mystery and theatre is very appealing.
I would love to read it!
sounds good sign me up
oh boy count me in!
thanks for the chance to win.
Would love to read this!!~
Would love to read this!!~
Thanks for the chance
I would like to read the work of M.L. Rio.
Sounds great
thanks so mcuh for the chance
Thanks so much for the chance 🙂
Thnanks for throwing the Crime and Theatre Sweepstakes!
sounds interesting, thanks for the chance
sounds interesting, thanks for the chance
I would like this
sounds like an awesome read!
I would love to win.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
wow
I read the excerpt and cannot wait to read the entire book 🙂 It is going to be an exciting read 🙂
Oh, a new twist!
A very thought-provoking introduction to this book. I’ll be discussing this premise with my brother, a police officer, who spends a lot less time reading about crime than I do.
[b]OVER.[/b]