Transcript European/Asian Drama Since 1700

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.
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 Penzance and H.M.S. Pinafore.
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.
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.
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.
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 Royal
Shakespeare Memorial
Theatre at
Stratford-upon-Avon
flourish.
DRAMA ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE
From the 1920s to 1950s,
Bertolt Brecht of Germany
developed epic theatre.
His plays are often produced in
the United States.
His most famous show
is called
Mother Courage.
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.
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 Miserables
and Miss Saigon.
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.
DRAMA ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE
Ibsen’s realistic dramas
account for his widespread
popularity.
His Works include A Doll’s
House, Hedda Gabler, and
An Enemy of the People.
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 Gull
and The Cherry Orchard.
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
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.
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.
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 actor
kneels 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.
DRAMA IN ASIA
The Peking Opera is one of China’s greatest theatrical
achievements.
Developed in the early 19th Century, it incorporates aspects of
historical, spoken, song, and dance drama, as well as
ballet.
DRAMA IN ASIA
Three forms of drama are
unique to Japan.
14th Century actor Zeami
Motokiyo fused and
refined two earlier
forms of drama to
create the first, called
No.
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.
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.
DRAMA IN ASIA
Dialogue is assigned to specialized chanters who appear in
each scene
As in No, only men are allowed to perform.
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.