Say anything Quote by Edmund White
“Tennessee Williams recognized that great theater begins with great talkers, and that great talkers obey two rules: they never sound like anyone else and they never say anything directly.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Theatre of Talk" in The New Yorker, 1998
Great theater relies on distinctive dialogue; speakers must avoid imitation and indirectness to create authentic drama.
In simple terms: Unique, direct speech drives compelling theater
Key Takeaway
Encourage original, clear expression.
Themes
theatre
dialogue
authenticity
Mood
analytical
creative
Type
critique
inspirational
When to use this quote
- playwriting workshops
- actor training
- script development
Key Concepts
Literary theory
performance art
Questions to Reflect On
- How does originality affect audience connection?
- When is indirect speech effective?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on uniqueness may alienate audiences.
