Drama & Theatre in Philippines - Historical Context & Key Movements

Drama & Theatre Group 9  learning objectives 01 02 Analyze major theatrical Describe the evolution and movements and key cultural significance of playwrights of the 20th Philippine drama. century. 03...

Drama & Theatre Group 9  learning objectives 01 02 Analyze major theatrical Describe the evolution and movements and key cultural significance of playwrights of the 20th Philippine drama. century. 03 04 Compare and contrast Demonstrate understanding of global and Philippine dramatic techniques through drama in terms of themes discussions and performances. and influences. Introducti on Drama - A form of literature intended for performance, where characters enact a story through dialogue and action. Theatre - The live performance of drama in front of an audience, incorporating acting, stage design, lighting, sound, and direction. Introducti on Key Difference: Drama refers to the written script, while Theatre is the actual performance of that script. importance Drama plays a vital role in cultural and social contexts as it serves as a powerful medium for storytelling, education, and social reflection. It preserves cultural heritage by showcasing traditions, beliefs, and historical narratives while also evolving to address contemporary issues. importance Theatre has been a platform for raising awareness about social injustices, promoting empathy, and inspiring change by portraying real-life struggles and emotions. Drama fosters creativity, entertains audiences, and provides a space for artistic expression, making it an essential part of human communication and societal development. historical context World War I (1914–1918) Brought about themes of loss, disillusionment, and the absurdity of war. Inspired Expressionist theatre, where emotions and psychological turmoil were exaggerated. Notable playwrights: Ernst Toller, Georg Kaiser (The Gas), and Luigi Pirandello (Six Characters in Search of an Author). historical context The Great Depression (1929–1939) Economic hardship led to themes of social justice, inequality, and working-class struggles. Epic Theatre emerged, led by Bertolt Brecht, to promote political awareness and social change. Plays like Clifford Odets' Waiting for Lefty and Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman captured the struggles of ordinary people. historical context World War II (1939–1945) Led to themes of survival, existentialism, and questioning of human nature. Theatre of the Absurd emerged as a response to the war’s devastation, portraying meaningless and chaotic human existence. Notable works: Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and Jean-Paul Sartre’s No Exit. historical context The Cold War (1947–1991) Created an atmosphere of paranoia, surveillance, and ideological conflict. Political theatre and satirical plays became popular, exposing government control and propaganda. Arthur Miller’s The Crucible was an allegory for McCarthyism and anti- communist hysteria in the U.S. key movements & style Realism aims to portray life as it is, focusing on everyday experiences, social issues, and psychological depth in characters. Naturalism is an extreme form of realism that presents life with scientific accuracy, emphasizing heredity and environment as key influences on human behavior. key movements & style Key Playwrights & Their Works: Konstantin Stanislavski – Developed the "Stanislavski System," which later influenced method acting. Anton Chekhov - (The Cherry Orchard, The Seagull) – Focused on internal conflicts, subtext, and mundane life struggles. Characteristics: Complex characters with psychological depth Dialogue and setting reflect real-life key movements & style Expressionism - Rejects realism, presenting the world from a subjective, often distorted perspective. Themes focus on human emotion, inner turmoil, and critiques of industrialization and war. Key Playwright: Bertolt Brecht - (Mother Courage and Her Children, The Threepenny Opera). Developed Epic Theatre (audience remains critically aware, "Verfremdungseffekt" or alienation effect). key movements & style Absurdism - Focuses on the absurdity of human existence, often depicting meaningless or illogical situations. Influenced by existentialist philosophy (life has no inherent meaning). Key Playwright: Samuel Beckett - (Waiting for Godot) A play about two characters waiting indefinitely for someone who never arrives. key movements & style Characteristics: Non-linear storytelling Unconventional dialogue (pauses, circular conversations) Satirical, dark humor mixed with existential themes key movements & style Postmodern and Contemporary Theatre - Moves beyond traditional storytelling, often questioning the nature of reality and blending different styles and media. Experiments with form, interactivity, and multimedia elements. Notable Playwrights & Works: Caryl Churchill (Top Girls) – Feminist themes, fragmented structure. Sarah Kane (Blasted) – Shock theatre, raw emotions. Robert Wilson – Experimental theatre with visual-heavy storytelling. drama in the Philippines Ph Drama and Theatre Pre-Colonial to Spanish Influence Indigenous Theatre Forms (Rituals, Storytelling) Before Spanish colonization, drama in the Philippines was deeply rooted in oral traditions. Indigenous communities performed rituals and storytelling to convey history, folklore, and religious beliefs. These performances included: Epic Chanting (Hudhud, Darangen, Biag ni Lam-ang) Shamanistic Rituals (Anitism) Mimetic Dances and Folk Dramas Ph Drama and Theatre Spanish Colonization and the Introduction of Komedya, Zarzuela, and Moro-Moro When Spain colonized the Philippines in 1565, they introduced European theatrical forms, blending them with indigenous performances. Komedya – A play influenced by European medieval theatre that depicted battles between Christians and Moors (Muslims). Zarzuela – A musical play that combined singing, dancing, and dialogue to depict social issues, often satirical in nature. Moro-Moro – A play dramatizing the Christian- Muslim conflicts, portraying Christian Spaniards as heroes and Moors as villains. Ph Drama and Theatre 20th Century Philippine Drama By the early 20th century, the Philippines saw the emergence of nationalist theatre, reflecting political resistance and social change. Many playwrights used drama as a platform to critique colonial rule, social injustices, and cultural identity. Severino Reyes – Walang Sugat Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero – Three Rats Nick Joaquin – A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino Ph Drama and Theatre Theatre Movements During the American and Japanese Periods American Period (1898-1946) The introduction of English as a medium for education led to the rise of English-language plays. Drama transitioned from nationalist themes to psychological and social issues, influenced by Western realism. University-based theatre groups like the University of the Philippines (UP) Dramatics Club flourished. Ph Drama and Theatre Theatre Movements During the American and Japanese Periods Japanese Occupation (1941-1945) Strict censorship limited nationalist and anti- colonial themes. Performances were used for propaganda, but underground plays still carried subtle resistance. The era marked a shift toward radio drama, as live theatre became restricted. Ph Drama and Theatre Contemporary Philippine Theatre After independence, theatre in the Philippines evolved to address contemporary issues, embracing both traditional and experimental approaches. Institutions played a major role in fostering Filipino theatre: Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) Tanghalang Pilipino Ph Drama and Theatre Popular Contemporary Works and Playwrights Floy Quintos (Angry Christ, Fluid) – Examines art, identity, and politics. Rody Vera (Bonifacio: Isang Sarswela, Lakambini) – Known for historical and socio- political plays. Liza Magtoto (Rak of Aegis) – A juke-box musical blending contemporary Filipino music with social commentary.  The END