Realist Theatre Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the idea that the world is mirrored in theatre?

realism

Realism wants to convince the audience of what?

stage action represents everyday life

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?

make simple moral judgments Signup and view all the answers

Why did realist dramatists not believe in the necessity of neat revolutions?

not realistic Signup and view all the answers

What two things did realist dramatists believe that drama should do?

call attention to social issues, bring about change Signup and view all the answers

Characters from ______: no stock characters, complicated personalities, shaped by heredity and environment, used colloquial and conversational language.

realism Signup and view all the answers

Who is the Norwegian playwright known as the founder of modern realism?

Henrik Ibsen Signup and view all the answers

What are four subjects Ibsen dealt with?

social problems, individuals struggling with society, repression of women, infidelity Signup and view all the answers

Who was the Irish playwright who wrote mostly comedies and won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925?

George Bernard Shaw Signup and view all the answers

What did Shaw believe drama should do?

inspire social reform Signup and view all the answers

What was the controversy surrounding Mrs. Warren's Profession?

cast arrested in 1905, portrays prostitution Signup and view all the answers

Who was the Russian playwright and physician by trade?

Anton Chekhov Signup and view all the answers

What is 'slice of life' theatre otherwise known as?

naturalism Signup and view all the answers

When and where did naturalism originate?

19th century France Signup and view all the answers

Who was the French writer who believed in 'scientific objectivity'?

Emile Zola Signup and view all the answers

Characteristics of __________: modeled after European theatrical troupes, subscription companies, not interested in turning profit, introduced new forms of drama.

independent theatre movement Signup and view all the answers

What was Theatre Libre known for?

1887 France, no star system, used amateur actors, opposed conventional gestures, fourth wall, motivated lighting, boxed interior set, rented small theatre space, subscription audience Signup and view all the answers

Who founded Theatre Libre?

Andre Antoine Signup and view all the answers

What was 'Freie Buhne'?

'free space', founded and operated by board of directors, professional actors, Sunday only performances, rented professional houses, closed 1891 Signup and view all the answers

Who was the chairman for Freie Buhne?

Otto Brahm Signup and view all the answers

What was the English Independent Theatre?

1891 London, operated for 6 years, subscription company, professional actors, Sunday only performances, goal was to introduce realist and naturalist theatre Signup and view all the answers

Who was the founder of the English Independent Theatre?

Jacob Thomas Grein Signup and view all the answers

Who founded the Moscow Art Theatre?

Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Moscow Art Theatre significant?

still in production, Stanislavski developed his acting method here Signup and view all the answers

Who developed the first system for training actors to create true-to-life characters on stage?

Konstantin Stanislavski Signup and view all the answers

What are the key elements of Stanislavski's system?

outward behavior is natural and convincing, should convey inner needs, goals, and objectives, character life should be dynamic and continuous, strong sense of ensemble, relaxation, concentration and observation, importance of specifics, inner truth --> magic 'what if', what? why? how? through line of role (what character tries to accomplish), ensemble playing Signup and view all the answers

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.