Realism and Realism and the Modern Theatrethe Modern Theatre

BeliefsBeliefs

A call to return the theatre to “serious” A call to return the theatre to “serious” pursuits as opposed to the commercial pursuits as opposed to the commercial interests of melodrama and comedy. interests of melodrama and comedy. Theatre shouldn’t be a frivolous Theatre shouldn’t be a frivolous entertainment but serious, artful entertainment but serious, artful expression. expression.

Realism in TheatreRealism in Theatre

Truth lies in the observable physical worldTruth lies in the observable physical world Art is to be for the betterment of humankind, with Art is to be for the betterment of humankind, with

artist as scientistartist as scientist Plays were set in contemporary times because Plays were set in contemporary times because

that is all the playwright could observe firsthand.that is all the playwright could observe firsthand. Subjects were contemporary life and its Subjects were contemporary life and its

problems.problems.

The first director – The first director – The Duke of Saxe-MeiningenThe Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

Unity in design to create the illusion Unity in design to create the illusion of realityof reality

Setting was part of the play so actors used Setting was part of the play so actors used it rather than performing in front of it.it rather than performing in front of it.

Details had to be three dimensional rather Details had to be three dimensional rather than painted if they were to appear real.than painted if they were to appear real.

Actors blocked to resemble natural Actors blocked to resemble natural movementmovement

Realistic BlockingRealistic Blocking

Sets and costumes were created to be authentic to the era the play is set in. No longer did people only wear contemporary clothing, regardless of when the plot took place.

Naturalism – Andre AntoineNaturalism – Andre Antoine

Created use of the 4Created use of the 4thth Wall Wall Had real objects onstage (trees, sides of Had real objects onstage (trees, sides of

beef) to further enhance the naturalism.beef) to further enhance the naturalism. Actors should appear to be people, not Actors should appear to be people, not

actors and say lines conversationally.actors and say lines conversationally. Box sets used over wing and backdrop.Box sets used over wing and backdrop.

Modern Box StageModern Box StageProscenium Arch Proscenium Arch

Features of box stage:Features of box stage:

Wings, Curtain, Lighting aboveWings, Curtain, Lighting above Cat walkCat walk Clouds for hiding the sceneryClouds for hiding the scenery Element of surpriseElement of surprise Trap doorTrap door Forth wall illusionForth wall illusion

““The Lower Depths” by Gorki examined life in the The Lower Depths” by Gorki examined life in the flophouse. All stage elements reflected this setting.flophouse. All stage elements reflected this setting.

Realism Becomes DominantRealism Becomes Dominant

Realism offered a style of reality that was Realism offered a style of reality that was watch-able and that audiences could watch-able and that audiences could appreciate.appreciate.

Realism is still the dominant form of Realism is still the dominant form of theatre, especially in the United States. theatre, especially in the United States.

Famous playwright and director Famous playwright and director Chekhov and StanislavskiChekhov and Stanislavski

Moscow Art TheatreMoscow Art Theatre

Chekhov’s plays demanded a new style of acting Chekhov’s plays demanded a new style of acting that would teach actors how to create realistic, that would teach actors how to create realistic, multi-layered characters while also being multi-layered characters while also being understood by the audience.understood by the audience.

Stanislavski developed a method of acting, often Stanislavski developed a method of acting, often called Realism, which trained actors for called Realism, which trained actors for performing realism. It is the most popular performing realism. It is the most popular training method today in the United States. training method today in the United States.

PlaywrightsPlaywrights

Heinrich IbsenHeinrich Ibsen - Norwegian - Norwegian A Doll’s A Doll’s House, Hedda GablerHouse, Hedda Gabler

Credited with writing the first pieces of Credited with writing the first pieces of realism that attacked society’s values. realism that attacked society’s values. Plays tackled issues of the Plays tackled issues of the

role of women, euthanasia,role of women, euthanasia,

morality of war and othermorality of war and other

social issues.social issues.

George Bernard ShawGeorge Bernard Shaw

EnglishEnglish

Pygmalion, Saint Joan, Pygmalion, Saint Joan,

Man and SupermanMan and Superman Almost always wrote comedies that dealt Almost always wrote comedies that dealt

with social issues of the times. Made with social issues of the times. Made realism accepted in England.realism accepted in England.