Through times theatre, side by side with religion, has been regarded as a very strong creator of man’s image of the world; tool for influencing masses through which the ideas ruling in the society can be presented to the public. Is theatre just a story played by a person or group, or a show performed on stage by actors? Is theatre giving a chance to educate people or is it just an unpretentious entertainment which enables us to forget the tense everyday life?
The textbook gives an overview of Estonian theatre and its evolving from folk rituals and celebrations, which could be regarded as drama’s predecessors, to those original directors, who in the present day create the face of our theatre.
The dramatic art section gives an overview of theatre as a type of art, as a unique medium. The book talks about the specific features of staging, analysing and receiving performances, peculiarity of the theatre language, etc.