Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the idea that the world is mirrored in theatre?
What is the idea that the world is mirrored in theatre?
realism
Realism wants to convince the audience of what?
Realism wants to convince the audience of what?
stage action represents everyday life
What are five common subjects explored by realist dramatists?
What are five common subjects explored by realist dramatists?
economic injustice, sexual double standard, unhappy marriages, STDs, religious hypocrisy
What did realist dramatists refuse to do regarding moral judgments?
What did realist dramatists refuse to do regarding moral judgments?
Why did realist dramatists not believe in the necessity of neat revolutions?
Why did realist dramatists not believe in the necessity of neat revolutions?
What two things did realist dramatists believe that drama should do?
What two things did realist dramatists believe that drama should do?
Characters from ______: no stock characters, complicated personalities, shaped by heredity and environment, used colloquial and conversational language.
Characters from ______: no stock characters, complicated personalities, shaped by heredity and environment, used colloquial and conversational language.
Who is the Norwegian playwright known as the founder of modern realism?
Who is the Norwegian playwright known as the founder of modern realism?
What are four subjects Ibsen dealt with?
What are four subjects Ibsen dealt with?
Who was the Irish playwright who wrote mostly comedies and won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925?
Who was the Irish playwright who wrote mostly comedies and won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925?
What did Shaw believe drama should do?
What did Shaw believe drama should do?
What was the controversy surrounding Mrs. Warren's Profession?
What was the controversy surrounding Mrs. Warren's Profession?
Who was the Russian playwright and physician by trade?
Who was the Russian playwright and physician by trade?
What is 'slice of life' theatre otherwise known as?
What is 'slice of life' theatre otherwise known as?
When and where did naturalism originate?
When and where did naturalism originate?
Who was the French writer who believed in 'scientific objectivity'?
Who was the French writer who believed in 'scientific objectivity'?
Characteristics of __________: modeled after European theatrical troupes, subscription companies, not interested in turning profit, introduced new forms of drama.
Characteristics of __________: modeled after European theatrical troupes, subscription companies, not interested in turning profit, introduced new forms of drama.
What was Theatre Libre known for?
What was Theatre Libre known for?
Who founded Theatre Libre?
Who founded Theatre Libre?
What was 'Freie Buhne'?
What was 'Freie Buhne'?
Who was the chairman for Freie Buhne?
Who was the chairman for Freie Buhne?
What was the English Independent Theatre?
What was the English Independent Theatre?
Who was the founder of the English Independent Theatre?
Who was the founder of the English Independent Theatre?
Who founded the Moscow Art Theatre?
Who founded the Moscow Art Theatre?
Why is the Moscow Art Theatre significant?
Why is the Moscow Art Theatre significant?
Who developed the first system for training actors to create true-to-life characters on stage?
Who developed the first system for training actors to create true-to-life characters on stage?
What are the key elements of Stanislavski's system?
What are the key elements of Stanislavski's system?
Study Notes
Realism in Theatre
- Realism mirrors the world in theatre, reflecting true life experiences and societal issues.
- Stage action in realism represents everyday life, aiming to convince audiences of its authenticity.
Common Subjects in Realist Drama
- Explores themes such as economic injustice, sexual double standards, unhappy marriages, STDs, and religious hypocrisy.
- Ibsen notably dealt with social problems, individual struggles, repression of women, and infidelity.
Realist Dramaturgy
- Realist dramatists avoided making simple moral judgments, instead presenting complex characters and situations.
- They rejected the necessity of neat revolutions as they believed life does not always resolve neatly.
Goals of Realism
- Drama should call attention to social issues and inspire change, promoting social reform through storytelling.
Characterization
- Realist characters are complex, lacking stock characters, influenced by heredity and environment, and use colloquial language.
Influential Playwrights
- Henrik Ibsen is recognized as the founder of modern realism and contributed significantly to the genre.
- George Bernard Shaw, an Irish playwright, combined comedy with social commentary, winning the Nobel Prize in 1925.
Controversies in Realist Theatre
- "Mrs. Warren’s Profession" faced controversy over its portrayal of prostitution, leading to significant backlash in 1905.
Naturalism
- Naturalism is characterized as "slice of life" theatre that originates from 19th-century France.
- Emile Zola advocated for "scientific objectivity" in naturalistic writing.
Independent Theatre Movement
- This movement featured theatre libre (founded in 1887) that used amateur actors and aimed to break conventional theatrical norms.
- Features included motivated lighting, a boxed interior set, and a subscription audience.
Key Figures in Independent Theatre
- Andre Antoine founded Theatre Libre, promoting new forms of drama.
- Otto Brahm was the chairman of Freie Buhne, which offered professional performances in a subscription model.
The English Independent Theatre
- Established in 1891 in London for six years, focusing on introducing realist and naturalist theatre to audiences.
Moscow Art Theatre
- Founded by Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko, it became a significant venue for developing realistic acting methods.
- Stanislavski’s approach centered on training actors to portray life-like characters through detailed emotional and character work.
Stanislavski's Acting Method
- Emphasizes natural and convincing behavior, inner motivations, dynamic character life, relaxation, concentration, and ensemble playing.
- Highlights the importance of specifics and inner truth, using a "what if" scenario to explore character objectives and development.
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Description
Test your knowledge of Realist Theatre with these flashcards that cover key concepts and themes. Dive into the world of realism, exploring its focus on everyday life and prevalent social issues. Perfect for students or theatre enthusiasts looking to enhance their understanding of this dramatic movement.
