Metaphor and Mise-en-Sc`ene

Humanistic studies of the 20th century have expanded the theory of metaphor into different fields like historiography, naratology, culture studies, etc. What are the possibilities of applying the theory to studies of visual and performative arts, and theatre in particular? The article deals with the issue, introducing R. Jakobson's theory, the idea of cognitive value of metaphor, and P. Ricoeur's hermeneutic principles as different theoretical attitudes towards metaphor. Different perspectives expose different ways of perceiving the metaphorical structures of mise-en-scène and distinct qualities of what can be called the "stage metaphor". Thus, means of integrating different stage systems, the forms of representation and the relation of performance text to cultural context can be investigated, invoking the key concept of metaphor. The theory of metaphor is also an effective way to locate and to interpret particular historical theatre processes, as for example the productions of the representatives of Lithuanian "metaphorical theatre": J. Jurašas, E. Nekrošius, J. Vaitkus