Modern Theatre: Realism, Playwrighting, Design, Acting
The evolution of modern theatre is explored, with a focus on realism as a reaction to Romanticism. The impact of the scientific view of the world and the industrial revolution on theatre is discussed, along with the shift towards more depth in characters and storytelling. Playwriting formulas, the role of women in theatre, and the development of design concepts are also highlighted, showcasing the progression towards a more analytical and objective approach in the arts.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Chapter 16 Modern Theatre
Realistic Theatre Three Contributing Factors Scientific view of the world Industrial revolution Romantic revolution against neoclassicism
Background Information Industrial revolution causes gap in wealth between those who work and those with the money. Scientific approach to the problem = socialism - Marx Origin of the species Darwin Evolutionist vs. Creationist
Background Information Scientific approach to the study of things - analytic, objective, and unbiased study replaces religious / philosophic approach. Function of art like science is the betterment of mankind. Leads to new approaches in all areas of the arts.
Realism in Theatre Practice Realism is a reaction to Romanticism Faithful reproduction like the camera might see it - Characters with great psychological detail Theatre as a method of study, research and experimentation
Playwrighting Formulas for playwriting based upon Cause and Effect action Early attempts were shallow and trivial Provided a foundation of concepts still used today Progressed to more in depth issues and more in depth characters Henrik Ibsen was one of the first to make this shift.
Playwrighting Role of women, Ethic of euthanasia, and Morality of business and war. Anton Chekov - also significant. Slice of life - well paced - providing a rhythm of everyday life
Design Shift from painted props to real props The development of the box set Concept of the fourth wall. Audience area now darkened No aprons Separation of audience and Actors in now complete Scientific notion of observation
Acting Realistic theatre slow to acceptance - Subscription theatre as a way to entice audiences in. Realistic acting develops - the fourth wall causes new ground to be broken - the actors are even encouraged to sometimes turn their backs on the audience Never acknowledge the presence of the audience
Acting Inner life of the character Stanislavski - Illusion of the first time Actors - to Be rather than to Act. Directing Period in which the modern director grew.
Anti-Realistic Theatre Artistic Theatre Reaction of the previous representational theatre leads to a theatrical non representational theatre. Most artist seem to be less interested in commercial theatre - Artistic theatre
Background Information World War I and II Einstein - Three dimensional universe of Newton is changed to be four dimensions - Space/Time Quantum theory - Observation changes the event. Nietzsche - God is dead Sigmund Freud - Subconscious - Reality is only a surface reality - the is an inner hidden truth. Film and television as sources of realism
The Fragmentation of Theatre The -isms Individually not all that significant - but important taken as a whole and for what they contribute. Symbolism Replace realistic representations with expressions of the inner truth. Myth - Legends - Dreamy Expressionism Subjective expression through distortion Often politically oriented material Robotic - Pink Floyd the wall.
More -isms Surrealism Amplifying the work of Freud on the subconscious Real objects in unreal or impossible settings Automatic writings as a way around self censorship Absurdist Artist inner sense of the absurd nature and futility of existence Portrayed a world without order Repetition of meaningless action takes the place of logical action The New Stagecraft Three dimensional actor united with three dimensional scenery Lighting comes into its own Simplified setting to allow the audiences imagination to work Sound Design starts development
Experimental Theatre Less focus put on a text in the traditional sense - Voice and movement. Dance theatre and performance art Robert Wilson - Theatre of images - Theater is slowed down and speeded up, or repeated - A quantum approach to theatre - A former painter Lack of concern for traditional dramatic action
Theatrical Space Rethinking of theatre Space Environmental theatre - Audience and Actors intermixed Tear down the barrier between the actor and the audience - Participant again
