Download 19th Century Theatre

Liban Ahmed
Timeline
1810- Georg
Büchner (German
Playwright) reacted
against
Romanticism in
German Theatre
Creation of
Melodrama became
popular
1850s- Émile Zola a
French writer wished
to surpass Ibsen and
his realism
1850- Henrik Ibsen
(“Father of Modern
drama” and Norwegian
Playwright) ranged in
style
1860- Edmond
Rostand a very
popular French
playwright created
Romantic and
Comedic roles for
performers
Special effects
technology was
introduced by David
Belasco an American
Producer
Characteristics
• Gas lighting created a way to darken the theatre and light the stage
• Modern plot; the villain poses a threat, the hero or heroine escapes,
etc,with a happy ending.
• The word “melodrama” comes from "music drama”
• A simple moral universe; good and evil are embodied in stock
characters.
• In Melodrama, music was used to increase emotions
• In Melodrama, many special effects were used such as explosions,
earthquakes, and drowning scenes
• In Melodrama, almost never 5 acts, usually 2-5
Theatre Development
• Scenery as well as costumes became
more elaborate and more accurately
resembled their roles
• The invention of gas lighting made it
possible to dim the theatre and light the
stage to bring focus and attention to the
play
• live animals were brought on stage like in
the play Hannibal when Elephants were
brought on stage
Actors and Playwrights
• Henrik Ibsen- a
Norwegian Playwright
who attacked peoples
beliefs and values of
theatre
• Sarah Bernhardt- a
popular French actress
whose style would be
thought exaggerated
today, she preformed in
many plays at the time
Review Questions!!!
Were you listening?!
1.
About when did Emile Zola
decided to surpass Ibsen?
2. List 2 developments of the 19th
century theatre?
3. What was Sarah Bernhardt
known for?