Leroy Fearon | Stage over screen: Reclaiming the intellectual soul of storytelling

On this World Theatre Day, we are invited not merely to celebrate theatre, but to interrogate the evolving landscape of storytelling itself. In an era dominated by high-budget cinema and algorithm-driven streaming platforms, a quiet but consequential shift has occurred; one that raises a critical question: Has modern film begun to abandon the intellectual rigor that once defined it?

Contemporary cinema, particularly within large production ecosystems such as Marvel Studios and global streaming giants like Netflix, has undeniably achieved remarkable technological and commercial success. Yet, this success often comes at a cost.

Narratives are increasingly engineered for mass appeal, guided by data analytics rather than artistic daring. The result is a proliferation of sequels, reboots, and formulaic plots that prioritise visual spectacle over philosophical depth.

Theatre, by contrast, remains one of the last bastions of intellectual and cultural authenticity. It is a space where language matters, where silence speaks, and where the audience is not merely entertained but challenged. Theatre does not rely on CGI or algorithmic predictions; it relies on the raw, unfiltered exchange between performer and audience; a dynamic that demands attention, interpretation, and reflection.

In the Jamaican context, theatre has long served as a mirror to society. The works of playwrights such as Trevor Rhone remind us that the stage is not just a site of performance, but of resistance, identity formation, and national discourse. Through humour, dialect, and social commentary, Jamaican theatre has historically engaged the intellect while grounding itself in cultural truth.

This is not to suggest that film is devoid of value, but rather that it has, in many instances, drifted toward passive consumption. Streaming culture encourages binge-watching, reducing complex narratives to background noise. Theatre, on the other hand, resists passivity. It demands presence. It insists on thought.

As we mark World Theatre Day, there is an urgent call, not only to audiences, but to creators. Local playwrights, directors, and actors must rise to the occasion, not merely to preserve theatre, but to reinvigorate it. This is a moment for bold scripts, experimental staging, and unapologetic engagement with the pressing issues of our time.

The stage is set, but the question remains: will we allow theatre to fade quietly into the margins, or will we reclaim it as the intellectual heartbeat of storytelling? The answer, as always, lies not in the spectacle but in the substance.

- Leroy Fearon Jr, J.P, M.Sc., is a lecturer, multi-disciplinary researcher, author, geography specialist, columnist, Governor General's Achievement Awardee '24 and Governor General I Believe Initiative (IBI) Ambassador '24. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and leroyfearon85@gmail.com