Drama Appreciation \ Drama 1

Notes pp. 208-222

Chapter 8: Realistic Theatre

Realistic Theory:
     Copernican Theory said that the Earth was not the center of the Universe.
     Darwinian Theory said that man evolved from animals.
     Freudian Theory said that the subconscious is in control of man’s mind.
     These three theories formulated realism.
Realism: Likeness to life is the goal of realism. Dialogue becomes conversational. Real sets, and real costumes of ordinary people are used on the stage. Konstantin Stanislavski in Moscow develops his method of acting. Soul searching, self-doubting analysis is portrayed. The illnesses of society are presented. The nature of family and social relationship are explored and exposed. The "theatre of the fourth wall removed" becomes popular as audiences peer into the lives of the character on stage. Scientific truths are revealed with no symbols, no abstractions.
     Anti-Royalist sentiment exists and the Democratic spirit develops. Elitist snobbery is repugnant.
REALISTIC PLAYWRIGHTS: 1) Henrik Ibsen (Norwegian) writes "A Doll’s House" (1879), "Ghosts" (1881), "An Enemy of the People" (1882). He presented themes of Women’s role in society, mercy killing, heredity disease, and political hypocrisy. Ordinary people are the subjects, ordinary homes are the settings.
2) George Bernard Shaw (English) wrote "Mrs. Warren’s Profession" (1902) about prostitution and "Major Barbara" (1905) about urban poverty and the homeless.
3) Anton Chekov (Russian) wrote "The Sea Gull" (1896), "Uncle Vanya" (1899) , "The Cherry Orchard" (1904), and

Notes pp. 222-236:

"The Three Sisters" (1901) by Anton Chekov , a doctor and a playwright. Written for Konstanin Stanislavski’s acting company at the Moscow Art Theatre.
Plot: Three sisters dream of leaving their small village in Russia and moving to Moscow. Many events occur in the sister’s lives but they remain in their village.
Characters: Olga, Irina, Tchebutykin, Masha, Vershinin, Tusenbach, Kulygin, Andrei, Natasha, Doctor
Theme: Even the common man can triumph. Show human courage in the face of adversity. Life is full of inconsistencies and confusion. Human fallibility is very apparent in life.

ROMANTICISM \ NATURALISM paralleled Realistic literature. An example of romanticism is Dumas’s "Three Musketeers", an epic adventure with flamboyant verse, and passionate feelings. An example of Naturalism is August Strindberg’s "Miss Julie" , Where the nature of the human animal is revealed.

Ibsen’s play "A Doll’s House", on film,
Written in 1879 in Norway.
Plot: Nora Helmer finds her marriage is built on false premises. She leaves her husband and family to find her own identity in the world.
Characters: Nora Helmer, Torwald Helmer, Mrs. Linde, Dr. Rank, Nils Krogstad.
Theme:The supreme importance of an individual’s character and personality should be respected. Male chauvinism exist in men’s attitudes of self righteous indignation. Having children and keeping house is not the only goal in life a woman should be allowed.
Ibsen questioned the nature of male\female relationships and women’s rights in the late 1800s. He advocated the stripping away of illusion to show the realities of life. He also wrote "The Wild Duck", "Hedda Gaebler", "The Pillars of Society". He dealt with social issues and psychological problems.
End Chapter 8

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