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Evolution of the 4 th Wall?. Ch 10. Denis Diderot October 5, 1713 – July 31, 1784. Denis Diderot October 5, 1713 – July 31, 1784. Europe adhered to neoclassicism, but new forms were evolving Diderot -chief editor of and contributor to the creation of the Encyclopédie
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Denis DiderotOctober 5, 1713 – July 31, 1784 • Europe adhered to neoclassicism, but new forms were evolving • Diderot -chief editor of and contributor to the creation of the Encyclopédie • wrote and championed new genre - drame • Middle class tragedy/domestic tragedy • A serious play that didn’t fit neoclassical definition of tragedy
Diderot • Wanted greater realism on stage • Acting and scenery • "When you write or act, think no more of the audience than if it had never existed. Imagine a huge wall across the front of the stage, separating you from the audience, and behave exactly as if the curtain had never risen.“ • Developed the concept of the fourth wall
Diderot’s Paradox of Acting • Best actor invoke strong emotions in an audience through calculation and craft, not by experiencing these emotions themselves • The studied actor is better than the one who relies on inspiration and feeling the part
Dumesnil and Clairon • Both actresses at ComedieFrancais • Dumesnil 1713-1803 – natural abilities but sometimes erratic. • Wore expensive contemporary fashions for all roles played. • Clairon – more studied actress • Interested in historical accuracy, • Less declamatory.
Acting in England • Rehearsal were about 3 hours a day for two weeks • In England actors were mainly contracted, rehearsals run by the actor-manager. • French actors in government theatres were part of a sharing plan. ComedieFrancaise was democratic, actors voted. • Shows started at 5 or 6pm, a whole evening of entertainment (musical performance, full length play, entertainments between acts, afterpiece, sometimes a short one act.
David Garrick • Started as an actor, played Richard III in 1741 in Goodman’s Fields, an unlicensed theatre. • Noted for having a natural style, based his action on observation
Garrick • Became actor-manager of Drury Lane • Made actors rehearse longer and to performance standards • Established penalties for not following rules • Gave actors direction • Worked with designer and inventor Philip James de Loutherbourg
Garrick • Placed lights behind scenery • Introduced local color, did away with stock scenery • Shortened the apron • Did not allow actors to use the stage doors • Removed seating on the stage
Johan Wolfgang von GoetheWeimar Court • Rules for Actors • Stage German (RP in UK) • Oversaw staging and costumes • Believed in historical accuracy • Audience reactions should be limited to applause or no applause.
Goethe’s Three Questions • What was the artist trying to do? • Was he/she successful in doing it? • Was it worth doing?