"Actors ought to be larger than life. You come across quite enough ordinary, nondescript people in daily life and I don't see why you should be subjected to them on the stage too"
- Ninon de L'Enclos
About this Quote
This quote by Ninon de L'Enclos talks to the importance of theatre and the role of actors in it. She believes that theatre ought to be a location of escape, where the audience can be transported to a world of larger-than-life characters and stories. She argues that the audience ought to not undergo the very same mundane, daily individuals they come across in their lives. Rather, theatre needs to be a location of fantasy and imagination, where the audience can experience something extraordinary. She believes that actors need to be larger than life, and that they ought to have the ability to bring these characters to life in a way that is both believable and fascinating. By doing so, they can produce a world that is both amusing and inspiring. Ninon de L'Enclos' quote speaks to the power of theatre and the importance of stars in producing a special and unforgettable experience for the audience.
"Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage"