How to enjoy a theatre Helen Wang National Penghu University.

How to enjoy a theatreHow to enjoy a theatre

Helen WangHelen Wang

National Penghu UniversityNational Penghu University

Medieval dramaMedieval drama

With the establishment of Christianity came an With the establishment of Christianity came an age of faith throughout medieval Europe, in which age of faith throughout medieval Europe, in which the way of life was dominated by the church. the way of life was dominated by the church.

Liturgical drama (church services) was always in Liturgical drama (church services) was always in Lain and not in the vernacular, and formed an Lain and not in the vernacular, and formed an integral part of the church service. Such activities integral part of the church service. Such activities were theatrical, involving impersonation (with were theatrical, involving impersonation (with symbolic costumes and ‘props’, dialogue and symbolic costumes and ‘props’, dialogue and action.action.

All medieval drama is didactic drama, All medieval drama is didactic drama, teaching and spreading the Christian faith, teaching and spreading the Christian faith, promoting the godly way of life and promoting the godly way of life and condemning vice. In effect the church condemning vice. In effect the church acknowledged that drama can be a powerful acknowledged that drama can be a powerful medium of propaganda and utilized it medium of propaganda and utilized it accordingly. accordingly.

The plays were based on Bible stories, the lives of The plays were based on Bible stories, the lives of saints, the life, death and resurrection of Christ, saints, the life, death and resurrection of Christ, vices and virtues, angels and devils.vices and virtues, angels and devils.

All plays were written verse and all drama All plays were written verse and all drama continued to be ‘occasional’ drama, that is, continued to be ‘occasional’ drama, that is, presented on special occasions only because it presented on special occasions only because it was open-air drama, performances were limited to was open-air drama, performances were limited to spring and summer.spring and summer.

The performers were mainly amateurs. The style The performers were mainly amateurs. The style of acting was probably very simple to match the of acting was probably very simple to match the simplicity of the text. simplicity of the text.

The features of medieval acting seem to The features of medieval acting seem to have been a loud voice and a strong have been a loud voice and a strong physical presence to convey authority.physical presence to convey authority.

For those people who think that religious For those people who think that religious drama is dull and dutiful, here is an exciting, drama is dull and dutiful, here is an exciting, spectacular medieval play combining the spectacular medieval play combining the bawdy and beautiful, the devilish and the bawdy and beautiful, the devilish and the heavenly.heavenly.

In the Middle Ages theatre buildings were still In the Middle Ages theatre buildings were still unknown temporary stages were given in daylight. unknown temporary stages were given in daylight. The most usual form of outdoor staging is known The most usual form of outdoor staging is known as the booth stage.as the booth stage.

By far the most exciting form of staging in By far the most exciting form of staging in medieval times is known as ‘in the round’ or ‘place medieval times is known as ‘in the round’ or ‘place and scaffold’ presentation. The play’s action takes and scaffold’ presentation. The play’s action takes place in the circular arena, and on and between place in the circular arena, and on and between the various central and perimeter stages. the various central and perimeter stages.

Music, song and dance were often mixed in Music, song and dance were often mixed in with the ‘matter of the play’.with the ‘matter of the play’.

Interludes were simply presented, no stage Interludes were simply presented, no stage being required. Indoors, they just ‘took the being required. Indoors, they just ‘took the floor’ in Tudor halls or large chambers; the floor’ in Tudor halls or large chambers; the booth stage was perfectly adequate.booth stage was perfectly adequate.

The Renaissance to the interregnumThe Renaissance to the interregnum

The Renaissance movement was The Renaissance movement was responsible for revolutionizing the content responsible for revolutionizing the content and form of drama. The atmosphere of and form of drama. The atmosphere of study during the Renaissance made drama study during the Renaissance made drama a subject of eager investigation by a subject of eager investigation by academics in mid-sixteenth-century academics in mid-sixteenth-century England.England.

The action should take place at the same The action should take place at the same location and the plot line should be confined location and the plot line should be confined to a continuous single action. to a continuous single action.

As for subject matter, biblical topics and As for subject matter, biblical topics and stories and religious dogma had to be stories and religious dogma had to be dispensed with, the world was the dispensed with, the world was the playwright’s oyster. But it is interesting that playwright’s oyster. But it is interesting that development was cautious. development was cautious.

Renaissance drama is sharply distinguished Renaissance drama is sharply distinguished from medieval drama in that it deals more from medieval drama in that it deals more with man’s relationship with man and less with man’s relationship with man and less with his relationship with God.with his relationship with God.

Man’s present life on earth became the central Man’s present life on earth became the central issue of many plays, especially in the late issue of many plays, especially in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.

Renaissance drama is different from earlier drama Renaissance drama is different from earlier drama in that it often requires interpretation. But with the in that it often requires interpretation. But with the growth of drama, and the move away from familiar growth of drama, and the move away from familiar material and familiar structures, late Renaissance material and familiar structures, late Renaissance plays became complex. plays became complex.

The first playwright to cause any real stir in The first playwright to cause any real stir in English theatre was Christopher Marlowe. English theatre was Christopher Marlowe.

As late as the end of sixteenth century, As late as the end of sixteenth century, when theatre became a commercial venture, when theatre became a commercial venture, plays were often printed and put on sale plays were often printed and put on sale without mentioning the name of the without mentioning the name of the playwright.playwright.

Shakespeare explored almost the whole range of Shakespeare explored almost the whole range of drama—comedies, tragedies, history plays, dark drama—comedies, tragedies, history plays, dark comedies and the later non-naturalistic drama comedies and the later non-naturalistic drama known as the romance plays.known as the romance plays.

The final phase of Shakespeare’s work produced The final phase of Shakespeare’s work produced plays markedly different both in form and content plays markedly different both in form and content from any of his earlier work. Time is seen as a from any of his earlier work. Time is seen as a healing agent, helping to mend the torn fabric of healing agent, helping to mend the torn fabric of life. The plays are set in strange and remote life. The plays are set in strange and remote lands; the plots have an almost fairy-tale quality; lands; the plots have an almost fairy-tale quality; the action is often more symbolic than naturalistic. the action is often more symbolic than naturalistic.

All Shakespeare’s work is written in verse All Shakespeare’s work is written in verse and prose of incomparable quality and is and prose of incomparable quality and is brought to life on stage by a succession of brought to life on stage by a succession of vivid characters which have become vivid characters which have become household names. household names.

Renaissance theatre buildings Renaissance theatre buildings

In terms of theatre history the Elizabethan and In terms of theatre history the Elizabethan and Jacobean period is of immense importance. The Jacobean period is of immense importance. The shape of the playhouse was that of the shape of the playhouse was that of the contemporary bull or bear-baiting houses. contemporary bull or bear-baiting houses.

1642-60: the interregnum1642-60: the interregnum Theatre was eclipsed by a greater drama of real Theatre was eclipsed by a greater drama of real

life played out between king and country, which life played out between king and country, which culminated on a public scaffold with the execution culminated on a public scaffold with the execution of Charles I in 1649. of Charles I in 1649.

Restoration and the eighteenth Restoration and the eighteenth centurycentury

Sir william Davenant and Thomas Killigrew both beSir william Davenant and Thomas Killigrew both began with makeshift theatres adapted from indoor tgan with makeshift theatres adapted from indoor tennis courts until purpose-built theatres became aennis courts until purpose-built theatres became available.vailable.

Davenant, with his company called the Duke’s MeDavenant, with his company called the Duke’s Men, early introduced scenery and theatrical machinen, early introduced scenery and theatrical machinery into his theatre, while Killigrew with his King’s Mry into his theatre, while Killigrew with his King’s Men opened without scenery but was forced to folloen opened without scenery but was forced to follow suit when the new concept of staging instantly cw suit when the new concept of staging instantly caught on. aught on.

The theatre attracted only the upper The theatre attracted only the upper classes, few workaday people attended. It classes, few workaday people attended. It depended on the season. depended on the season.

Once new playwrights had begun writing for Once new playwrights had begun writing for the stage, three main kinds of drama the stage, three main kinds of drama appeared, reflecting contemporary trends in appeared, reflecting contemporary trends in social tastes and morals: comedies of social tastes and morals: comedies of manners, heroic tragedy and musical manners, heroic tragedy and musical dramas. dramas.

The Restoration comedy of manners has oftThe Restoration comedy of manners has often been attacked as valueless and unimporten been attacked as valueless and unimportant. In spite of the fact that most of these coant. In spite of the fact that most of these comedies are restricted to casts of leisured arimedies are restricted to casts of leisured aristocrats and the upper classes. stocrats and the upper classes.

The position of divorce and marriage in the lThe position of divorce and marriage in the late seventeenth century is also being highligate seventeenth century is also being highlighted. hted.

But a good production of a fine Restoration But a good production of a fine Restoration comedy will prove a thoroughly enjoyable comedy will prove a thoroughly enjoyable theatrical experience, for many of the plays theatrical experience, for many of the plays are highly amusing, witty and ingenious.are highly amusing, witty and ingenious.

Musical dramas were also very much in Musical dramas were also very much in vogue during this period. vogue during this period.

The building itself was rectangular with a The building itself was rectangular with a fan-shaped auditorium. fan-shaped auditorium.

Actresses were now beginning to play the female Actresses were now beginning to play the female parts. Acting must certainly have been freer, parts. Acting must certainly have been freer, particularly as many plays. particularly as many plays.

Restoration stage were still only painted on Restoration stage were still only painted on canvas flats. canvas flats.

This period is important for the creation of the This period is important for the creation of the theatre monopoly, the introduction of actresses theatre monopoly, the introduction of actresses and the first female professional playwright, the and the first female professional playwright, the newly designed indoor theatres with their scenes newly designed indoor theatres with their scenes and machines and the greatly increased use of and machines and the greatly increased use of music. music.

Drama at the beginning of the century is labDrama at the beginning of the century is labelled ‘sentimental’: it is pious, moralistic, eleelled ‘sentimental’: it is pious, moralistic, elegant but rather dull. gant but rather dull.

Musical appreciation and love of opera grew Musical appreciation and love of opera grew as the eighteenth century progressed, and Itas the eighteenth century progressed, and Italian opera singers found ready favour in Loalian opera singers found ready favour in London. Because of the monopoly, a large nundon. Because of the monopoly, a large number of music dramas or plays with music wmber of music dramas or plays with music were presented. ere presented.

After the middle of the century the theatre After the middle of the century the theatre began to attract more and more people, began to attract more and more people, mainly from the middle and lower classes.mainly from the middle and lower classes.

1818thth century theatres: Scenery and century theatres: Scenery and machines grew more important and machines grew more important and complex, stages being fitted with several complex, stages being fitted with several trap doors, bridges, fly galleries, machinery trap doors, bridges, fly galleries, machinery for raising and lowering scenic pieces for raising and lowering scenic pieces through the stage floor. through the stage floor.

Garrick was influential in attempting to estabGarrick was influential in attempting to establish more historically accurate costumes for lish more historically accurate costumes for period plays.period plays.

1919th Centuryth Century

Audiences were mainly working and lower-Audiences were mainly working and lower-class; the upper classes at the beginning of class; the upper classes at the beginning of the 1800s went to the opera and the two the 1800s went to the opera and the two patent houses.patent houses.

Two important events in the history of the Two important events in the history of the theatre occurred in the early decades of theatre occurred in the early decades of 1800. Gas lighting was introduced, and the 1800. Gas lighting was introduced, and the much resented monopoly of the two patent much resented monopoly of the two patent theatres was broken. theatres was broken.

Plays and casts had to be found and Plays and casts had to be found and trained, audiences had to be weaned away trained, audiences had to be weaned away from musical shows and variety from musical shows and variety entertainments. entertainments.

Through the decades that followed, plays Through the decades that followed, plays containing attractive plots and dialogue and containing attractive plots and dialogue and indeed, offering some reflection on indeed, offering some reflection on contemporary society began to emerge.contemporary society began to emerge.

The theatre in the second half of the century The theatre in the second half of the century went through a period of enormous change, went through a period of enormous change, matching the equally profound movements matching the equally profound movements going on in economic and social life. going on in economic and social life.

Melodrama: The action is accompanied by Melodrama: The action is accompanied by orchestral music. As far as English theatre orchestral music. As far as English theatre is concerned, the term was first used to is concerned, the term was first used to denote a particularly dramatic kind of play denote a particularly dramatic kind of play performed with music and song throughout. performed with music and song throughout.

Theatre in its many forms became the main Theatre in its many forms became the main relaxation for the Victorians; it was inexpensive, all relaxation for the Victorians; it was inexpensive, all tastes were catered for from opera to music hall, tastes were catered for from opera to music hall, classics to melodrama, and there was a growing classics to melodrama, and there was a growing repertoire of straight plays.repertoire of straight plays.

By the 1880s and 1890s all classes attended the By the 1880s and 1890s all classes attended the theatre and glittering ‘first nights’ attracted the theatre and glittering ‘first nights’ attracted the aristocracy and upper classes.aristocracy and upper classes.

Late 19Late 19thth century theatres: Theatres were century theatres: Theatres were becoming elegantly appointed and becoming elegantly appointed and sumptuously decorated with ornament and sumptuously decorated with ornament and gilt plasterwork, floors were carpeted and gilt plasterwork, floors were carpeted and seating made comfortable. The stage seating made comfortable. The stage offered greater and greater scenic offered greater and greater scenic splendors, many of the major theatres being splendors, many of the major theatres being equipped with impressive hydraulic equipped with impressive hydraulic machinery. machinery.

The bulk of the drama continued to offer relaThe bulk of the drama continued to offer relaxation and delight, the kind of entertainment xation and delight, the kind of entertainment sorely needed by the masses of ill-paid wagsorely needed by the masses of ill-paid wage-earners. e-earners.

Characterization became psychologically deCharacterization became psychologically deeper and social issues were treated frankly. eper and social issues were treated frankly. Dialogue began to acquire a literary flavour Dialogue began to acquire a literary flavour as well as a note of social and philosophic eas well as a note of social and philosophic enquiry.nquiry.

Naturalism in European dramaNaturalism in European drama

Naturalism in drama was a movement away from Naturalism in drama was a movement away from the artificial melodrama of the contemporary the artificial melodrama of the contemporary theatre which bore absolutely no relation to real theatre which bore absolutely no relation to real life. It sought to give on-stage an illusion of the life. It sought to give on-stage an illusion of the real world through naturalistic plots, dialogue and real world through naturalistic plots, dialogue and behavior.behavior.

Naturalism aimed at creating an illusion of Naturalism aimed at creating an illusion of everyday life—a photographic image; realism went everyday life—a photographic image; realism went for the reality without necessarily giving a for the reality without necessarily giving a photographic picture. photographic picture.

The pioneer of plays of naturalism and sociaThe pioneer of plays of naturalism and social relevance was Henrik Isben. Ibsen spent a l relevance was Henrik Isben. Ibsen spent a lifetime devoted to the theatre. Essentially Ilifetime devoted to the theatre. Essentially Ibsen was a poet, much of his work is written bsen was a poet, much of his work is written in verse and even his prose has that extra iin verse and even his prose has that extra imaginative charge of poetry.maginative charge of poetry.

In France, the trend towards naturalism was In France, the trend towards naturalism was confirmed by the existence of ‘little theatres’ confirmed by the existence of ‘little theatres’ – theatres specially created to promote the – theatres specially created to promote the new drama.new drama.

Playwrights increasingly turned to writing Playwrights increasingly turned to writing works of symbolism.works of symbolism.

However in England during the second half of the However in England during the second half of the century, the requirement of a particular individual century, the requirement of a particular individual to be responsible for the artistic production of a to be responsible for the artistic production of a play became an increasing necessity.play became an increasing necessity.

The rise of scenic realism and the arrival of the The rise of scenic realism and the arrival of the first plays with a social message, it was apparent first plays with a social message, it was apparent that coordination was becoming necessary. The that coordination was becoming necessary. The director was to be responsible for the play’s artistic director was to be responsible for the play’s artistic impact; to guide, instruct, coach and generally to impact; to guide, instruct, coach and generally to ensure that the audience noticed not only the star ensure that the audience noticed not only the star actors but also the play itself and its message. actors but also the play itself and its message.

All aspects of theatrical art—acting, stage All aspects of theatrical art—acting, stage design, lighting, costumes and so on—had design, lighting, costumes and so on—had to contribute to a balanced whole. The to contribute to a balanced whole. The director became the actors’ guide, mentor director became the actors’ guide, mentor and stimulus and the over-all interpreter of and stimulus and the over-all interpreter of the playwright’s script.the playwright’s script.

From the Edwardians to the angry yoFrom the Edwardians to the angry young menung men

Attempts at serious drama continued to be Attempts at serious drama continued to be somewhat hesitant in the early 1900s, but somewhat hesitant in the early 1900s, but several dramatists in Britain persisted in several dramatists in Britain persisted in their efforts to write and have produced their efforts to write and have produced plays which were not simply entertaining, plays which were not simply entertaining, but also works of consequence. but also works of consequence.

During the Edwardian era amateur theatre During the Edwardian era amateur theatre became established on a nationwide footing, became established on a nationwide footing, resulting in the formation of the British resulting in the formation of the British Drama League in 1919. Theatre had Drama League in 1919. Theatre had become a truly popular art form; acting become a truly popular art form; acting groups and theatre societies proliferated groups and theatre societies proliferated and amateur drama festivals created a and amateur drama festivals created a healthy rivalry.healthy rivalry.

The United States of AmericaThe United States of America

Between 1940 and the mid-1950s American Between 1940 and the mid-1950s American theatre dominated the English-speaking theatre dominated the English-speaking world.world.

Craig pioneered many developments in Craig pioneered many developments in stage design and advocated a theatre of stage design and advocated a theatre of non-realistic décor and atmospheric lighting, non-realistic décor and atmospheric lighting, in which the visual impact was of paramount in which the visual impact was of paramount importance and the director was a dictator.importance and the director was a dictator.

Theatre todayTheatre today

In 1956 the drama reflected in one particular In 1956 the drama reflected in one particular play and in the feelings of one particular play and in the feelings of one particular young man the culmination of a mood—the young man the culmination of a mood—the mood of the post-war years. After the mood of the post-war years. After the Second World War and after a decade of Second World War and after a decade of readjustment to peace, the brave new world readjustment to peace, the brave new world so long promised was failing to materialize. so long promised was failing to materialize. The post-war generation was becoming The post-war generation was becoming disillusioned, critical, and outspoken. disillusioned, critical, and outspoken.

Although the form of the play was traditional, Although the form of the play was traditional, its tone was new. It was abrasive, its tone was new. It was abrasive, outspoken and forceful. The tone of the outspoken and forceful. The tone of the play demanded attention.play demanded attention.

Fringe theatre in BritainFringe theatre in Britain

Fringe theatre has been known variously as Fringe theatre has been known variously as avant-garde, off-West-End, underground, avant-garde, off-West-End, underground, alternative or non-mainstream theatre. alternative or non-mainstream theatre. Standards of performance and production Standards of performance and production range from the atrocious to the polished. range from the atrocious to the polished.

Most theatres in use today belong to this Most theatres in use today belong to this group and were probably built in the late 19group and were probably built in the late 19thth or early 20or early 20thth century, hence the term century, hence the term ‘traditional’. The over-all shape is ‘traditional’. The over-all shape is rectangular with a raised stage placed rectangular with a raised stage placed squarely across one end stretching from squarely across one end stretching from side wall to side wall. A proscenium-arch side wall to side wall. A proscenium-arch stage is also called a picture frame stage.stage is also called a picture frame stage.

The strength of pros. arch staging lies in its The strength of pros. arch staging lies in its potential to offer a striking approximation of potential to offer a striking approximation of realism in scenic terms.realism in scenic terms.

The term thrust stage is used where the The term thrust stage is used where the stage is considerably extended into the stage is considerably extended into the auditorium and most of the action takes auditorium and most of the action takes place on it.place on it.

The action is more immediate and the The action is more immediate and the audience more readily involved.audience more readily involved.

Traverse staging is ideal for pageants, Traverse staging is ideal for pageants, shows, large-cast plays, comedies and shows, large-cast plays, comedies and plays involving a lot of movement. It is plays involving a lot of movement. It is unsuitable for serious, static, small-cast unsuitable for serious, static, small-cast plays.plays.

Advocates of theatre-in-the-round assert Advocates of theatre-in-the-round assert that it creates a much more vital and that it creates a much more vital and immediate performance for an audience immediate performance for an audience than is possible in a traditional theatre.than is possible in a traditional theatre.

The major disadvantage is that the audience The major disadvantage is that the audience will not always see the action from the best will not always see the action from the best viewpoint, and will also have to contend with viewpoint, and will also have to contend with the actors’ backs for approximately half the the actors’ backs for approximately half the performance. performance.

The open-stage is a direct result of the anti-illusionThe open-stage is a direct result of the anti-illusionist approach to drama of the 1960s of bringing the ist approach to drama of the 1960s of bringing the action out into the open from behind the pros. Arch,action out into the open from behind the pros. Arch, and of exposing the mechanics of theatre. An op and of exposing the mechanics of theatre. An open-stage implies a thrust-stage or at least a conveen-stage implies a thrust-stage or at least a convex shape curving out into the auditorium. Most modx shape curving out into the auditorium. Most modern theatres have abandoned the traditional rectanern theatres have abandoned the traditional rectangular shaped theatre-building and adopted a polyggular shaped theatre-building and adopted a polygonal shape.onal shape.