Leikhús

Leikhús, or theatre, is the performing art of telling stories through live performance in front of an audience. It encompasses scripted dramas and comedies, music theatre, dance theatre, and experimentation. The term can refer to the art form as well as the building where performances take place.

Productions are collaborative: a playwright writes the script, a director shapes the interpretation, actors perform, and designers handle sets, costumes, lighting, and sound. The rehearsal process develops scenes, blocking, and timing; stage management coordinates the run. The audience's presence is essential to theatre's immediacy and energy.

Venues vary from traditional proscenium theatres to black-box spaces and outdoor stages. Contemporary practice includes immersive, site-specific, and participatory forms that place audiences in unfamiliar relationships to performers.

In Iceland, leikhús is a significant cultural institution with performances primarily in Icelandic. It supports local writers and productions, alongside international works, through theatres and theatre companies and often relies on public funding and arts organizations for support. The national theatre and several independent houses contribute to the country's theatre landscape.

The role of leikhús includes entertainment, education, social commentary, and cultural reflection. It evolves with new technologies and cross-disciplinary collaborations, while maintaining traditional storytelling and live performance as its core.