Revisiting Vsevolod Meyerhold’s Biomechanics: Challenges for Directors and Actors in Theatre Today

Despite the popularity of Vsevolod Meyerholdʹs biomechanics in theatre practice, his lofty ideas have unfortunately not satisfied the yearnings of directors and actors all over the world. His discourse directs actors to accomplish complex movements like gymnastics, acrobatics, ballet, and circus movements without educating us on the human anatomy and the influence of the laws of mechanics on motion. These factors constitute the foundation upon which biomechanics rest upon. The purpose of this study is to create the awareness among the young and aspiring directors and actors on the challenges of the laws of mechanics in theatre practice. Consequently, this study believes that if Meyerholdʹs biomechanics must be properly applied in theatre practice, then, young and upcoming directors and actors must be knowledgeable in the simple mechanics of motion to guarantee effective and efficient movements, movement pattern and movement combinations on theatre stage and screen.