Introduction to Theatrical Styles

1. Introduction to Theatrical Styles 19th Century to Modern Times

2. What is a theatrical style or movement? • Also known as “-isms” • Refers to the way a play is written, produced, and acted. • Can also affect other elements such as set design, costuming, and effects. It is important to know the various theatre styles in order for an actor (or director or designer) to choose the style of language and action that suits the script and expresses their ideas.

3. What influences theatre styles? • Time period in which it was written. • Prevailing culture of that time. • Conventions (the “standard” way of doing things for that time) • Current popular philosophies.

4. Theatrical Conventions related to Style • Representational • Presentational Traditional style of theatre; uses the “fourth wall” as if the audience were watching through a window. Can be experimental and avant-garde; acknowledges that the audience is present by having the action take place in the seating area and having characters speak directly to the audience.

5. Major Theatre Styles of the 19th Century • Romanticism - Early 19th Century • Naturalism– Mid-19th Century • Realism – Late 19th Century All of these styles were representational in convention

6. Romanticism • Rejected neoclassical rules and suggested that genius creates its own rules. • Focused on emotions, sentiment, and imagination. • Elaborately staged and used supernatural elements. • Heroes were independent and defended individuality. • Common theme was the gulf between human beings’ spiritual aspirations and their physical limitations.

7. Romantic Playwrights and Plays • Edmond Rostand – Cyrano de Bergerac • Victor Hugo - Hernani • Goethe - Faust • Alexander Dumas - The Count of Monte Cristo

8. Naturalism • Based views on contemporary scientific theory. • Aimed to present ordinary life as accurately as possible – no theatrical sense – in the extreme… “slice of life” and “real flies on real meat” • Showed how human beings act in response to forces of nature and society that are beyond their control. • Subject matter emphasized the boredom, depression, and frustration of contemporary life.

9. Naturalist Playwrights and Plays • August Strindberg – Miss Julie • Eugene O’Neill - The Iceman Cometh • John Osborne - Look Back in Anger • Sam Shepard - Curse of the Starving Class

10. Realism • Replaced the artificial romantic style with accurate depictions of people in plausible situations. • Writers refused to make simple moral judgments or to resolve dramatic action neatly. • Presents life as it actually is; characters talk, dress, and act as people in ordinary life do. • Actors attempt to become their characters; living their lives in a real room with the audience spying on them through the invisible fourth wall. • Ushered in modern theatre and revolutionized contemporary theatre in every aspect, from scenery to styles of acting; from dialogue to makeup.

11. Realistic Playwrights and Plays • Anton Chekhov – Uncle Vanya, The Three Sisters • Henrik Ibsen - A Doll’s House, Ghosts • Arthur Miller - All My Sons • Horton Foote - Roads to Home, Valentine • Beth Henley - The Impossible Marriage • N. Richard Nash – The Rainmaker • Agatha Christie – Ten Little Indians • Lanford Wilson – Talley’s Folly