"Body Parts: Theatrical Supernumeraries and The Politics of Performance"
https://www.worldshakesbib.org/entry/bbbm143/
Author:
	Reimers, Sara.
Type:
	Journal Article
Year:
	2022
Publication Information:
	Theatre Notebook 76, no. 3 (2022): 117–133.
Annotation:
	Observes definition of "supernumerary" as congenital condition involving growth of additional body part to consider both artistic and political significance of theatrical supernumerary as unspeaking actor onstage. Argues theatrical supernumerary is defined by embodiment but devoid of vocal elements, and therefore functioning as both presence charged by visual meaning, and also absence, as unnamed character with no lines. Offers case studies of supernumeraries in recent productions of Shakespeare's plays, including Gregory Doran’s RSC production of Julius Caesar (2012, q.v.) and Sam Mendes’s production of King Lear for the National Theatre (2014, q.v.). English summary, online.
Language:
	English
Cross-References:
	Doran, Julius Caesar
	Mendes, King Lear
Persons:
	Doran, Gregory; Mendes, Sam
Tags:
	Actors, Acting, Directors, Directing, Julius Caesar, King Lear, Scholarship, Criticism, History of Criticism
WSB Update:
	Spring 2025
WSB Record Number:
	bbbm143