Questions and Answers
During the first half of the 19th century, two new dramatic forms _ and _ were created.
Melodrama, Romanticism
Actors left the Comedie Francaise to form ________.
Theatre de La Republique
What are the 8 basic characteristics of Melodrama?
- A focus on emotional appeal 2. Musical underscoring of emotion 3. Vocal and physical underscoring of emotion 4. Virtue under siege 5. Strict poetic justice 6. Comic relief 7. Fast-paced, episodic, and sensational action 8. Extensive use of typical plot devices
The Romantics borrowed liberally from the writings of __________.
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What are the 5 fundamental tenets of Romanticism?
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Deeply concerned with theatre, _ and _ called themselves Romantics.
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Which French playwright's play could be divided into historical spectacles and domestic dramas?
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What 19th century actor was often called the greatest of all French actors?
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Who was the most admired designer of the 1800's in France?
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Moscow had two theaters, _ for spoken drama and _ for opera and ballet.
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________ stopped English minor theaters from performing the plays of the patent houses.
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The stability of English theater was due to the work of ______________.
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What designer created the book, History of British Costume, as a result of his research into historical clothing?
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Edmund Kean was a famous _____________ of the period.
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The first native-born American actress to win international fame was ____________.
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Thomas Rice created his comic caricature of African Americans called __________.
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How many parts were Minstrel Shows divided into?
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The Chestnut Street Theater was the first to light its stage with gas. In what city was it located?
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Study Notes
Dramatic Forms in the 19th Century
- Melodrama and Romanticism emerged as new dramatic forms in the first half of the 19th century.
Significant Theatre Institutions
- Actors departed from Comedie Francaise to establish Theatre de La Republique.
Characteristics of Melodrama
- Emotional appeal serves as the central focus.
- Musical underscoring enhances emotional engagement.
- Vocal and physical elements amplify emotional expression.
- Themes often feature virtue in jeopardy.
- Strictly adheres to poetic justice principles.
- Incorporates comic relief to balance intensity.
- Known for fast-paced, episodic, and sensational narratives.
- Utilizes typical plot devices extensively.
Influences on Romanticism
- Romantics borrowed heavily from the philosophical concepts of Kant.
Fundamental Tenets of Romanticism
- A belief in a higher truth beyond earthly existence.
- The notion that closer resemblance to natural state enhances truth representation.
- Recognition of human limitations in comprehending total truth.
- Art as a vehicle for glimpsing ultimate truth, enhancing awareness of potential.
- Exceptional imagination is deemed essential for perceiving unity in diversity, with artists and philosophers regarded as the primary possessors of this insight.
Key Figures in Romantic Theatre
- Schlegel and Tieck were notable figures deeply engaged with theatre who identified as Romantics.
- Dumas, a French playwright, categorized his works into historical spectacles and domestic dramas.
- François-Joseph Talma is renowned as the greatest French actor of the 19th century.
Design and Theatrical Spaces
- Ciceri distinguished himself as the most admired designer in 1800s France.
- Moscow is home to two primary theaters: Maly for spoken drama and Bolshoi for opera and ballet.
Regulation and Stability in English Theatre
- The Licensing Act restricted English minor theaters from staging plays from patent houses.
- John Philip Kemble contributed significantly to the stability of English theatre.
Notable Historical Contributions
- Planche' created "History of British Costume" through extensive research into historical clothing.
- Edmund Kean gained fame as an outstanding actor during this period.
Influential American Theatrical Figures
- Charlotte Cushman became the first native-born American actress to achieve international acclaim.
- Thomas Rice developed the comic character Jim Crow, contributing to the minstrel tradition.
Structure of Minstrel Shows
- Minstrel shows were typically divided into two parts.
Technological Innovations in Theatre
- The Chestnut Street Theater, located in Philadelphia, was the first to utilize gas lighting on its stage.
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Description
Explore the emergence of melodrama and romanticism in 19th-century theatre. This quiz delves into the significant characteristics of these forms, their emotional appeal, and the influence of romanticism on dramatic expressions. Test your knowledge of key theatre institutions and fundamental tenets of this transformative period in drama.