19th Century Theatre: Shakespeare & Neoclassicism

Shakespeare to 19th Century Theatre

• Shakespeare's works saw a resurgence in the 19th century, translated into various languages.
• Actors gained recognition for their Shakespearean roles.
• Theatre companies specialized in producing Shakespearean plays.

Shakespearean Actors

• Ira Aldridge: First African American actor with international acclaim, studied acting in New York, left America to pursue a professional acting career.
• Edwin Booth: Known for his Hamlet role, noted as a great Shakespearean actor, his acting style was described as subdued, sensitive and moody
• Sarah Bernhardt: Greatest French actor in the 19th century, successfully toured America, and was known for a "touch of hysteria" in her performances, exposing emotions to the audience.

Neoclassicism in Theatre

• Mid-1700s to mid-1800s, influenced by Greek and Roman theatre.
• Five key principles include verisimilitude (truth), decorum, no mixing of styles, unities (time, action, place), and five acts.

Romanticism in Theatre

• Late 18th Century and early 19th century theatre rejected the principles of order, calm and balance.
• Emphasized variety over standardization, emotion over logic, and exaggerated, sensational, and overemotional elements.

Grand Operas of the 19th Century

• Operas occurred entirely through music.
• Featured large casts, orchestras, elaborate sets, and costumes.
• Operas were often based on historical events.

Technology & Industrial Revolution's Impact on Theatre

• The steam engine played a role in transporting theatre to more places.
• Factories centralized populations, leading to a need for entertainment.

Melodrama

• Popular form of theatre in the early 19th century.
• Features spectacle, servants used for comedic relief, a clear distinction between good and evil, suspense, and a virtuous protagonist.
• The villain is punished and music underscores the mood and emotional response of the audience.

Spectacle in Theatre

• Featured important onstage events.
• Included elaborate staged scenes, train tracks, water tanks, animals, exotic locations and volcanic eruptions.

Popularity of Melodramas

• Promoted virtue over greed, offering entertainment for all classes.
• Reinforced morality and provided hope to the lower classes.
• Emphasized spectacle.

Realism & Naturalism

• The beginning of modern theatre, stemming from the ideas of Charles Darwin and scientific outlook.

Factors Influencing Realism and Naturalism

• Charles Darwin's theories (Origin of Species) suggested heredity and environment influence people.
• The belief that societal progress cannot be stopped
• The view of humanity as part of nature.
• Darwin's ideas sometimes contradicted religious dogma (the Bible).

Environment Shapes Character - Realism vs Naturalism

• Realism: Representation of life accurately, people are seen as scientific subjects influenced by heredity and environment.
• Naturalism: Extreme realism that focuses on working-class characters within a "slice of life" context, emphasizing the influence of heredity and environment.

Scientific Outlook in Theatre

• Playwrights in this era took an objective approach to understanding human behavior, reflecting contemporary issues and including taboo subjects.

Henrik Ibsen

• Considered the Father of Realism and Founder of Modern Drama
• Plays challenged existing societal values, particularly concerning women, which led to public controversy.

Anton Chekhov

• Combined tragic themes with humorous elements in his plays.
• Known for plays like The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, and The Three Sisters.

August Strindberg

• Sweden's greatest dramatist.
• His views on women in plays are considered outdated and narrow-minded.
• Known for his play Miss Julie.