History of Drama

1. History of Drama Other European/Asian Drama

2. English Drama Since 1600 • Following the Renaissance, England experienced a period of civil war that ended with the formation of a government controlled by the Puritans. • All theatre was banned for eighteen years. • When the monarchy was restored in 1660, the theatres reopened.

3. English Drama Since 1600 • The London stage of the 19th Century established the prestige it still holds today. • Gilbert and Sullivan wrote several clever and comic operas, including Pirates of Penzanceand H.M.S. Pinafore.

4. English Drama Since 1600 • Oscar Wilde is known for his brilliant dialogue as well as the composition of The Importance of Being Earnest. • Also known for writing the novel, The Picture of Dorian Grey.

5. English Drama Since 1600 • Bernard Shaw is said to be the greatest playwright next to Shakespeare. • Dedicated to the exploration of ideas through drama and humor.

6. English Drama Since 1600 • Shaw’s plays stress two major concepts. • (1) Life Force or belief that humanity will improve and strengthen in spite of itself. • (2) Thinking Person’s Society or that out of every 1,000 people, 700 do not think, 299 are idealists, and 1 thinks. • Most famous for writing Pygmalion.

7. English Drama Since 1600 • England is still the center for theatre lovers today. • People flock to outstanding playhouses such as The National Theatre, The Barbican, and The West End. • Summer theatre festivals, including The RoyalShakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon flourish.

8. Drama Elsewhere in Europe • From the 1920s to 1950s, BertoltBrecht of Germany developed epic theatre. • His plays are often produced in the United States. • His most famous show is called • Mother Courage.

9. Drama Elsewhere in Europe • The field of drama continued to develop in France as well. • Edmond Rostand wrote Cyrano de Bergerac. • This is the story of a poet-swordsman with a huge nose. • The story is world-famous and highly regarded for its abilities to incorporate both comedy and tragedy.

10. Drama Elsewhere in Europe • The musicals of Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schonberg have made a major impression on the theatre in recent years. • Their shows include Les Miserablesand Miss Saigon.

11. Drama Elsewhere in Europe • During the last half of the 19th Century, Henrik Ibsen of Norway introduced realism in dialogue and characterization. • He is sometimes called the father of modern drama and the father of realism. • His chief theme was that society must protect and develop the individual rights of each person.

12. Drama Elsewhere in Europe • Ibsen’s realistic dramas account for his widespread popularity. • His Works include A Doll’s House, HeddaGabler, and An Enemy of the People.

13. Drama Elsewhere in Europe • Two Russians are especially influential in their contributions to the theatre. • The first, Anton Chekhov, of the late 1890s, was perhaps the greatest Russian dramatist. • His plays include The Sea Gulland The Cherry Orchard.

14. Drama Elsewhere in Europe • Konstantin Stanislavsky had a tremendous influence on acting. • His writings are used as the basis for method acting. • This is the acting theory centered on the inner understanding of a role plus the perfecting of the physical response. • Actors truly become their parts. • The Moscow Art Theatre, which Stanislavsky founded and directed, became one of the finest in the world

15. Drama in Asia • Chinese Drama has traditionally been linked to the government and the country’s political situation. • When the Japanese invaded China in 1937, playwrights wrote new plays and rewrote old ones to include patriotic propaganda. • With the establishment of the People’s Republic in 1949, the government became involved in the arts by way of censorship.

16. Drama in Asia • Theatres were only able to produce plays that the government approved and deemed appropriate. • At the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1972, regulation of the theatre ended. • Despite the history of governmental regulations, many traditional aspects have remained intact in the Chinese Drama.

17. Drama in Asia • The stage settings are scarce and symbolic. A desk may symbolize a mountain if an actor stands on it, or may represent an altar if the actorkneels in front of it. • Costumes are often stylized to represent characters and social classes. • Symbolic colors and designs, representing different human qualities are used in makeup. • Although many traditional aspects prevail, today both men and women are allowed to appear on stage.

18. Drama in Asia • The Peking Opera is one of China’s greatest theatrical achievements. • Developed in the early 19thCentury, it incorporates aspects of historical, spoken, song, and dance drama, as well as ballet.

19. Drama in Asia • Three forms of drama are unique to Japan. • 14thCentury actor ZeamiMotokiyo fused and refined two earlier forms of drama to create the first, called No.

20. Drama in Asia • No brought to life brave warriors, honorable young women, and revered gods and demons. • Combines words, dance, and music. • Only men are allowed to perform.

21. Drama in Asia • In the late 1600s, puppets, chanting, and music were combined in Bunraku, or Japanese doll theatre. • Use four-foot tall marionettes carved from wood that include moveable eyes, eyebrows, and mouths. • Manipulated by three puppeteers dressed in black.

22. Drama in Asia • Dialogue is assigned to specialized chanters who appear in each scene • As in No, only men are allowed to perform.

23. Drama in Asia • In the 17th Century, Kabuki developed as a form of entertainment for the general population. • Distinguishes itself through characteristic makeup and costuming, assorted musical styles, demanding vocal displays, and enchanting stage settings. • Only men are allowed to perform.