Imagination vs Invention

or when you go to the theatre

Do You Want To Switch On Your Imagination or Your Invention?

At our shows, you will be able to switch on your imagination (whether you’re aged 4 or 84) and see things that are not present to the senses; but that are real in your mind’s eye.

At first glance we “imagine” we understand the difference between these two words or concepts - imagination and invention. But do we? General usage of these two terms suggests that they are interchangeable. But are they - really?

A theatre critic will say a show was “very imaginative” when, in fact, the production was very “inventive” or even terrifically “creative”.

Actually, it was the actors, director, designers et al who got to use their imaginations to create the production. But usually the audience don’t get to use theirs while watching a show. Even when (hopefully) they were engaged in the piece and, on the whole, enjoyed it.

But, if imagination is in the ‘cause’ camp and the show is in the ‘effect’ camp, is there ever a chance for the poor audience to be more than just spectators?

Let’s define our terms a little before going further. Always a good idea.

Visit http://www.thefreedictionary.com and you get:

Imagination

1. the formation of a mental image of something that is neither perceived as real nor present to the senses: imagination reveals what the world could be; children’s imaginations suggest that there are frightening animals under their beds.

Invention

1. The act or process of inventing: used a technique of her own invention.

2. A new device, method, or process developed from study and experimentation: the phonograph is an invention attributed to Thomas Edison.

to invent

1. come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort.

2. produce or contrive (something previously unknown) by the use of ingenuity or imagination.

You can accuse us of being selective because both imagination and invention have other meanings based upon each word’s context in different specific situations. Such is language. But these definitions are the ones closest to the etymological or true origins.

So what we say is that, at our shows, you will be able to switch on your imagination (whether you’re aged 4 or 84) and see things that are not present to the senses; but that are real in your imagination.

Some comments that children have said about

The Classic Fairytale Company shows over the years:

“I could never have imagined having no set so people would have to see it in their mind’s eye!”

10 year old, Culford Prep School, Britain

“The way you described the sea with such detail just made me think I was there.”

10 year old, Culford Prep School, Britain

“I’ve learned you don’t need all those snazzy electrical effects to put on a good show.”

7 year old, Bitburg Elementary DoDDS, Germany

“We got to use our imaginations and everyone had a different castle.”

5 year old, Mead School, Britain

Let us leave you with these quotes - make of them what you will:

"Only in men's imagination does every truth find an effective and undeniable existence.

Imagination, not invention, is the supreme master of art as of life."

Joseph Conrad: A Personal Record

"My imagination makes me human and makes me a fool;

it gives me all the world and exiles me from it."

Ursula Le Guin Winged: the Creatures on My Mind

"Imagination, the supreme delight of the immortal and the immature, should be limited.

In order to enjoy life, we should not enjoy it too much."

Vladimir Nabokov: Speak, Memory