The digital performer : performance, technology and new performance paradigms

This thesis, portfolio of published original performances and texts examines the extent to which one can create an equitable and convincing ‘live’ performance presence when creating performances that incorporate mediatised performers. The experimental process forefronts the dialogic relationship of the onstage to the on-screen performer, as such the devising methodology has primarily been focused on experimentation with the scripted narrative. The research illustrates significant technological and formal transitions during the research period, which has also seen the development from analogue to digital formats. In a systematic series of test-bed performances the author has created work exploring the qualitative interface between the onstage and digitally produced performer. Each new undertaking has articulated a different sub-set of research questions, but these have all been explored within the overarching framework. The argument presented here is that this research has contributed new knowledge to interpretations of our understanding of liveness and performer presence in contemporary performance. The critical contextual analysis examines twelve selected outputs. These are a combination of original performances and selected publications, where the author has reflexively discussed the findings of her practice. The critical contextual study is presented in four sections: Liveness revisited; The impact of the digital performer on our understanding of performer presence; Experiments with narrative; The actor slave and the diabolical digital performer