Theatre Realism Flashcards
What is the goal of theatre realism?
To recreate a truthfulness and sincerity on stage.
What is the goal of Romanticism?
To amuse with lavish, over-the-top melodrama.
What are some aspects of theatre realism?
The audience is emotionally and intellectually challenged.
It depicts a society that is flawed and confusing.
The audience watch secretively, as voyeurs, through the fourth invisible wall. Characters don’t acknowledge the audience at all.
Three-dimensional characterization.
Characters develop and grow.
Gestures are subtle and nuanced.
Antihero: struggling, imperfect protagonist.
Plot is developed with ordinary events.
Props and furnishings are used.
No special effects.
Lighting can be shadowy and leave some objects partly concealed.
What are some aspects of Romanticism?
The audience are entertained.
Depicts a utopian society.
Actors are aware of the audience throughout.
Two-dimensional characterization.
Characters are static and behave stereotypically and are predictable.
Gestures are explicit and exaggerated.
There are obvious heroes and villains.
Plot contains unusual events; mystery, or high adventure.
Language is literary and text is frequently accompanied by music.
Information to understand the plot is shared in an obvious manner.
Characters are superimposed against an incidental flat backdrop.
Many special effects are used.
String lighting to illuminate every aspect of the stage.
When was Romanticism the dominant movement in theatre?
Early 1800s
Why did Romanticism lose its popularity?
It’s suggested that it was because of economic reasons, or simply because of the unrealistic and irrelevant acting at the time.
What event influenced the movement of theatre realism?
The industrial Revolution
What came with the industrial revolution?
The replacement of hand tools and human power by machinery.
What questions did the industrial Revolution bring about for humans?
What is Man’s purpose? What is Man’s function in society? Does man hold any real value?
What conditions did the industrial Revolution bring about?
Really bad conditions. Intense urbanization occurred as thousands of people flocked to cities. Cities become heavily polluted and housing was cramped. Diseases spread rapidly. Child labor was cheap and became the ideal choice for manufacturing.
What did the terrible conditions of the industrial revolution bring about for theatre?
The excesses of the Romantic period faded and were replaced with the harsh realities of Industrial life. Playwrites responded accordingly.
Who were 3 key contributors to Theatre Realism?
Eugene Scribe, Emile Zola, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen.
What did Eugene Scribe devise?
He devised a structure which became known as the formula of a well made play.
What is Eugene Scribe’s formula of a “well-made play”? (6)
- A clear exposition of the situation.
- Careful preparation for future events.
- A change in circumstance.
- Continuous and mounting suspense.
- An obligatory scene in which it appears that good is rewarded and evil punished.
- A denouement or logical conclusion.
What did Emile Zola do?
He criticised Scribe’s formula as being too tight and restrictive. He proposed adaptions the well-made play so that what the audience experienced was closer to real life.
