Why was theatre in the 19th century such a hit?
because it helped the audience forget about all their cares and negatives in their lives.
Forms of Popular Entertainment
Minstrel Shows, Burlesque, vaudeville and the circus.
Minstrel Shows
White performers had blackface(Painted Black to resemble african americans) A combination of comic and sentimental songs, dramatic and comical skits, along with different dances.
William Henry Lane
the bedt dancer of the minstrel shows. was actually a black man, amongst white performers in blackface.
Known as Master Juba.
Burlesque
Parodies of serious plays.
Modern Day examples would be skits on saturday night live, The Scary Movie series and several will ferrell films such as Blades of Glory.
Began to include women dancers and eventually strippers.
Vaudeville
variety shows including songs, dancing, acrobatics and animal acts.
Circus
started by P.T. Barnum
Variety of acts and spectacles along with animal showings.
Advertised as the "Greatest Show on Earth
Edmund & Charles Kean
One of the most renowned theatrical families in 19th century England.
Edmund Kean
Electrified audiences in england and America with his romantic style
Father of Charles Kean
Charles Kean
Followed his father and became a famous theatrical Manager and Director
Edmund Kean as a youth
very rebellious and was kicked out of his home at the age of 15.
What did Edmund Kean do for 10 years
performed in provincial tours and minor london theatres.
What was Edmund Kanes First major Role?
Shylock in Shakespears Merchant of Venice.
What was Edmund Kane Known for?
Creating turbulent representations of Shakespearian villains such as Othelo, Richard III and Macbeth and Hamlet
What caused the downfall of Edmund Kanes career?
Alcoholism and wild/Uncontrollable Behaviour.
Charles Kane made his first big start where and in which play?
Drury Lane as a part in Hamlet
Who was Charles Kane Married to?
Ellen Tree was his wife, one of the most popular and accomplished actresses of her day.
What Theatre did Charles Kane manage?
The Prince Theatre which became the most fashionable theatre in london
Which Play established Charles Kane as an innovator and why?
MidSummer Nights Dream due to pictorial realism and historical accuracy.
Sarah Bernhardt & Elenora Duse
Dominates the international stage in the late 19th century.
Describe Sarah Bernhardt
Very Flamboyant, Eccentric and her temprament was legendary.
-demanded her salary in Gold
-said to have slept in a coffin
What company did Bernhardt make her debut with?
Comedie Francaise
What were the assets of Bernhardt?
Her Stage technique and most of all her voice.
What was bernhardts voice compared to?
a golden bell
Along with Managing a theatre what else did Bernhardt do?
she was a sculptor and a writer of poetry and plays.
Describe Elenora Duse
-very quiet and to herself
-both parents were actors and made her own stage debut at the age of 4
-wore no make up
-epitome of a natural and totally believable actress.
What was her first big role?
Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, at the age of 14
What did Duse's repertoire include?
poetic dramas, melodramas and realistic plays.
What would Duse use to convey the thoughts of the characters she portrayed?
Her eyes, facial expressions and gestures since she wore no make-up.
What forced her to return to acting?
Financial woes occurring after WWI. Eventually died in Pittsburg while on tour.
Richard Wagner & Georg II
Two most important directorial innovators at the close of the 19th century.
Richard Wagner
-best known as an opera composer but was also important as a stage and directing theorist.
-Created a New kind of opera
What was Wagners Most famous theory?
a production should be a "MASTERWORK" in which all elements( music, words, action scenery and lighting) are integrated as "Total Theatre
Describe Wagner's Personality
Egocentric, Forceful and convinced of the superiority of his own ideas.
-Impulsive and Selfwilled
What did critics think of Wagners techniques?
They didnt like them very much.
Why was Wagner in Exile for 12 years
because he took part in a revolution and also because he always avoided his creditors
Who was Wagners biggest fan?
Adolf Hitler, because of his anti-simetism and feeling of superiority of the German people.
What did wagner believe about Opera?
That opera needs a controlling figure to unify it.
What is Wagner Credited with as a director?
being the first to extinguish the house lights so that the audience can have full attention on the stage.
What would have Georg II chosen as a career?
military career in Berlin where he was a lieutenant in the Royal Guards. But his father ordered him to return home when the revolution broke out.
Describe Georg II
-Considered the First modern Director
-Revolutionized stage production
-Only Child
-was given a great education to rule his Duchy
-Loved nature and art
-Very talented in Sketching and drawing
What happened when Georg got called back from the Military?
-he married Princess Charlotte of Prussia and had 3 kids.
-Was an enlightened Monarch
-Liberalizing land ownership and promoting trade
What was Georg II Theatrical company called?
Meiningen Company: astounded crowds with the acting ensemble and its historically accurate productions.
How was Georg able to organize such successful theatrical ventures?
because he was so wealthy
What differentiated American Theatres from 19th century European theatres?
American Theatres turned into Continental Theatres, with no proscenium door and no apron either.
What changed the construction of theaters?
the use of structural steel allowed for balconies to be constructed without supporting columns.
What is something that occured more often as the years wore on?
Historical Accuracy in plays, sets and costumes
Box Set
consists of flats hinged together to represent a room.
Moving panorama
painted settings on a long cloth which could be unrolled across the stage by turning spools.
-Created the illusion of movement and changing locales.
Elevator Stage
Allows sections of the floor to be raised or lowered.
Revolving Stage
a large turntable on which scenery is placed; as it moves, one set is brought into view as another is moved out of sight.
Gas Lighting
revolutionized stage lighting
Gas Table
the equivalent of a modern dimmer board, which allowed a single stagehand to alter the intensity of lighting throughout the theatre.
Incandescent Lamp
electric light bulb invented by Thomas Edison