Between Melodrama and 20 th Century Theatre

1. So – What’s the Difference? Between Melodramaand 20th Century Theatre

2. Acting Style • Melodrama (18th and 19th Century Theatre) • Stylistic facial expressions and movement showed emotion. • Gestures were big, “larger than life”. • Characters were one dimensional (either good or bad not both) • 20th Century • Actors strive to create more realistic and complex characters with all human emotions. • No longer was there a set style of portraying characters. • Acting theory was born (i.e. Stanislavski’s inside-out, outside-in).

3. Melodrama to 20th Century Theatre

4. Director • Melodrama: • No need for a director because characters were stereotypes (either good or bad) therefore had a traditional way of moving, therefore there was no need for someone to create blocking or to help the actor analyze the character. • 20th Century Theatre: • Directors were required because characters were becoming complex and actors needed help to analyze their characters and the blocking in the play. • Actors needed help, and rehearsal systems were eventually evolved to cope with these new complexities.

5. Technology • Melodrama: • 18th century theatre had been lit by candles, making it hard for the audience to see, therefore actors had to over exaggerate their movements for the audience to see. • 19th century brought changing technology. Gaslight was introduced to the stage and auditorium of major theatres by the 1820’s. The use of gas allowed scenery and the actors to be lit much brighter than before. • The use of limelight, which could be coloured by painted glass slides - simulating romantic effects of all kinds (sunsets, moon light over water...etc) • 20th Century Theatre • Electricity allowed lighting designers to choose the effects and lighting levels they wanted. • Gels allowed the creation of effects to become more natural.

6. Melodrama to 20th Century Theatre

7. Playwrights and Plotlines • Melodrama: • Plotlines were written about the rich (upper-class) • Plots were predictable (the hero saves the day, the villain is punished). • 20th Century Theatre • Stories were written about the average person not just the rich. • There were no traditional ways of portraying the stories that playwrights were writing. • Characters and situations showed more of what it meant to be human.

8. Scenery • Melodrama: • Was pretty more than functional or realistic. • The sets symbolized emotions (i.e. a forest was a symbol for danger). • 20th Century Theatre • Sets were trying to become more realistic (i.e. if the scene took place in a kitchen, there would be a working stove). • Set changes took longer because the sets were 3-D scenic structures. • Set changes were concealed from the audience by the use of a drop curtain. • The audience should feel as if they are “overhearing real life”.

9. Melodrama to 20th Century Theatre