Rodian Theater

Rodian Theater or Rodian drama was a style of theater developed by the Rodians. Grand Protector Harido Kavila was responsible for the creation of this particular theatrical style, and was often credited with saving the Rodian species from their own extinction. Rodians were very violent, and Kavila's staged fights gave the Rodians a cathartic outlet for their aggressive tendencies. Originally, the drama was little more than choreographed fight scenes, but soon the dramatists began to write stories, expanding beyond the mindless violence. This eventually grew to become one of the most-renowned, albeit the most violent, forms of theater in the galaxy.

History

Rodian Theater was a form of the performing arts first developed early in the Rodian history by the Grand Protector of that era, Harido Kavila. The constant gladiatorial combat of the violent Rodians was threatening to bring the species to extinction. A stroke of brilliance on his part, Kavila created the drama as a sort of release for his people's aggressive tendencies. Theater allowed the Rodians to act out their aggression and combative urges without inflicting harm upon one another and the species took to it quite readily. The plays were cathartic to the audience as well, offering the same release without active participation.^[1]^[2]^[3]

The Rodians' dramatic efforts developed gradually; their early works were little more than staged fights. However, the dramatists and playwrights quickly realized that the effects of the drama would be magnified if the battles and skirmishes were presented as elements in a larger, greater story. The stories grew in complexity and became as good as the choreographed violence. Rodian theater became highly regarded throughout the Galaxy as one of the most poignant—and incredibly violent—forms of drama. The motivations and situations presented in the plays provoked strong emotional responses in the audience. Although often extremely graphic, the effects depicted by the violence were realistic and most species—including Rodians, if the work is well-written—were struck by the moral impact.^[1]^[2]

The popularity of this practice developed into a whole industry that expanded off-world, and performers were honored; perhaps second to the profession of a hunter. In turn, it was a big honor for a hutner to have their feats interpreted and performed in drama. Each clan had at least one dramatic troupe to immortalize their own tales.^[3]

Traditionally, the stories were performed by live actors in circular arenas, but later they expanded to screen and holovids, with stories widening their scope, spanning to jungle hunts or urban pursuits. Most Rodians continued to prefer live performances, both to appreciate the individual nuances of the fights, and to join the energy of the live audience.^[3]

Hishinu Booj's production, The Trickery of Vosdia Nooma, which debut shortly before the Clone Wars, was typical of Rodian Theater.^[4]

Themes and genres

Rodian dramatic performances usually followed a specific format, presenting the story first and allowing the plot to segue into the typical graphic violence in the later acts of the play. The fights were often intense and horrific, marked by bloody dismemberment and decapitations. The stories showed the tragedy of violence and highlighted its effects. The plays were not without their comedic content, however it was often culturally-specific and most species found Rodian humor to be blatant and even irritating.^[4]^[3]

Over time several genres developed, each one following a (somehow predictive) formula, but taking advantage of endless variations:

The Ghest showed the desperate and vain attempts of Rodian villagers to repel, and then flee, the attack of a ghest upon their village. The Ghest was essentially a classic tragedy.^[3]
Stories of The Challenge genre referred to the period when Rodian clans hunted each other for sport; a feud between rival clans and its devastating effects to both sides was depicted.^[3]
The First Hunt stories followed the exploits of a young hunter on his first solo hunt after a jungle creature; typically, a plot twist turned out that the prey was actually a fugitive. Variants of First Hunt stories included political commentaries.^[3]

Some radical troupes use their influence to divulge their radical or controversial ideas and cause the society to think and discuss about them, and challenge traditional norms.^[3]

Performers

As the dramatic medium grew in popularity and honor, so did the performers become honored individuals, after the hunters. In fact, some of the performers were former hunters, perhaps who had some remorse; others who chose to become performers were pacifists, political dissidents or eccentric offbeats.^[3]

Performers enjoyed some immunity from being hunted so they would have the freedom to record everyone's deeds. Performers were not allowed to seek power, being formally banned from politics; although this rule did not stop some strong ambitions.^[3]

The 200 members of the Rodian Galactic Drama Troupe was allowed by the Grand Protector to leave the planet in order to perform in the wider galaxy; a notable exception as only certain hunters were allowed to leave Rodia.^[3]