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20th Century Theatre Some Important Innovators As Modern Theatre opened up to the influences of non-realistic movements such as Symbolism and Expressionism, as well as the demands of staging works of Realism, there was a need for change in the area of acting style, stage design and directing. Many individuals made valuable contributions that both shaped the theatre and influenced others The innovators listed are just a few of those people: -Appia -Craig -Reinhardt -Meyerhold Adolphe Appia – 1928 Born in Switzerland He sought to unify the stage elements such as set and lighting He wanted to create a harmony that would better serve the play being performed 1862 Problems He didn’t always achieve harmony and unity on stage Many plays were spoilt the clashing elements and flat scenery and floors which did nothing to enhance the actor on stage To ‘blend’ such elements together he introduced differing heights on stage, ie. small platforms and blocks, which opened up the stage Lighting Appia used the newer, better lights available due to advances in technology He lit the stage from different angles, creating many special effects and moods He set high standards that inspired directors and designers Adolphe Appia Appia’s stage designs Gordon Craig – 1966 An English actor He elevated the status of the director as someone whose vision should be created on stage He favoured simplicity He believed all aspects of theatre should work together to manifest this ‘vision’ 1872 Stagecraft Craig moved away from the use of naturalistic sets He worked with the abstract and symbolic, creating stunning and original designs and effects Every bit of space, and what filled it (or did not fill it) mattered and was used to carry his concepts Craig emphasised the visual aspects of theatre to create the marriage of the play Everything was united and important in Craig’s theatre Gordon Craig Craig’s Set Designs Max Reinhardt 1872 -1943 German director Further He developed the role of the director studied past theatrical traditions to learn from their staging of plays If an historical play was staged, Reinhardt introduced the importance of recreating elements from that time This was different because in the past very little attention was given to theatrical history Reinhardt believed the director was free to choose and combine any elements in staging a play in the best possible way Max Reinhardt The immense set for the 1939 Max Reinhardt production of Faust. The houses were some 35 feet high, and the windows, doors, and stairways were functional. Much of the action took place in the rooms of the buildings, to be glimpsed through doors and windows by the audience Vsevolod Meyerhold – 1940 Meyerhold began his career at The Moscow Art Theatre He worked with the famous director-actor, Stanislavski Meyerhold left after disagreeing with the Company’s ideas 1874 Stanislavski emphasised creating the appearance of reality Meyerhold disagreed believing instead in theatre for theatre’s sake The audience did not need to be fooled that they were anywhere else other than a theatre Meyerhold’s Ideas No curtains Extending the stage into the auditorium Fully lighting the auditorium The key factor was the actor Sets, costumes and words were not essential Biomechanics Meyerhold’s interest in human movement led him to develop ‘Biomechanics’ Biomechanics was a detailed form of physically training actors that enhanced focus Vsevolod Meyerhold Meyerhold’s Biomechanics Meyerhold’s Productions These innovative theatre practitioners had a great effect on theatre in the later 20th and early 21st century.