The term rôle or role in the performing arts is usually taken to mean an
actor's
interpretation of a
character written in a
script that culminates in a unique performance of that character. So, for example, Shakespeare's character of
King Lear remains timeless and unchanging as words on a page, but each new actor coming to the character creates a new role, a new expression of the possibilities in that character. Each actor brings his or her own sensibilities, physicality, emotional history and personality to a character to create a unique role. Consequently, no two roles can ever be the same. This is one of the features of performance that makes it compelling and 'alive'.
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