The modern theatre emerges Chap 15 (1) Flashcards
Define Realism.
In theatre, realism has a specific connotation. It means that everything onstage is made to resemble observable, everyday life.
Define Departures from realism.
Departures from realism: To overcome the limitations of realistic theatre, this strand of modern theatre departs from realism via nonrealistic or antirealistic presentations.
It often uses symbolism, nonlinear narrative, dream imagery, and other ways to avoid realistic representation.
Who is Henrik IBsen?
The Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906) is often considered the founder of modern realistic drama.
- He felt that drama should tackle taboo subjects onstage.
-refused to make simple moral judgments or resolve the dramatic action neatly.
Define Naturalism.
Naturalism: Attempts to put on stage
exact copies of everyday life; sometimes also called “slice of life.
What is expressionism?
Expressionism: Movement in Germany at about the time of World War I characterized by an attempt to dramatize subjective states through distortion; striking, often grotesque images; and lyric, unrealistic dialogue.
What were the characteristics of expressionist plays?
- often highly subjective
- dramatic action was seen in the eyes of the protagonist.
- action seems distorted or dreamlike.
- The protagonist is a Christlike figure
- Characters are representative types, often given titles—such as Man, Woman, or Clerk—rather than names.
The language of ______ plays is often telegraphic, with most speeches
consisting of one or two lines, but these speeches alternate with long lyrical passages
The language of expressionist plays are often telegraphic, with most speeches consisting of one or two lines, but these speeches alternate with long lyrical passages
Define theatre of cruelty.
Theatre of cruelty: Antonin Artaud’s visionary concept of a theatre based on magic and ritual, which would liberate deep, violent, and erotic impulses
Who was Antonin Artaud?
Antonin Artaud who was a French theatrical theorist proposed a theatre of cruelty.
- believed that viewers senses should be bombarded
Who was Bertolt Brecht?
Bertolt Brecht who was a German theatrical theroist developed what he called epic theatre.
- believed that production should force the audience to remain emotionally detached
Define Epic theatre.
Epic theatre: A form of drama associated with Bertolt Brecht and aimed at the intellect rather than the emotions to effect social change
The goal of the epic theatre was to instruct.
Who was Anton Chekov?
The third significant playwright in the birth of modern realism is the Russian Anton Chekhov.
- Chekhov’s realism moved away from melodramatic elements
- developed a blend of tragedy and comedy (tragicomedy)
- dealt with 14-16 characters that had overlapping stories.
Define Existentialism.
Existentialism: Term applied to plays illustrating a philosophy whose modern advocate was Jean-Paul Sartre which holds that there are no longer any fixed standards or values
- they believe that existence has little meaning, that God does not exist, that humanity is alone in an irrational universe.
Define theatre of the absurd.
Theatre of the absurd: Term applied to the works of certain playwrights of the
1950s and 1960s who expressed a similar point of view regarding the absurdity and futility of the human condition and believed that this should be reflected in the dramatic action.
Who is Lin-Manuel Miranda?
The contemporary composer who has made a major impact on the American
musical is Lin-Manuel Miranda.
