Neo-ClassicismNeo-ClassicismAfter 1625 French theatre After 1625 French theatre
began to grow and develop.began to grow and develop.The political climate in France The political climate in France was becoming more stable.was becoming more stable.
Previously, in the 1500s there Previously, in the 1500s there had been battles to fight had been battles to fight
during the Civil War, meaning during the Civil War, meaning little time and energy went little time and energy went
into theatre.into theatre.
Cardinal Richelieu set out to reform the Cardinal Richelieu set out to reform the theatretheatre
He looked at what other European He looked at what other European countries were doing.countries were doing.
He adopted some ideas from these He adopted some ideas from these countries, especially Italy. This included countries, especially Italy. This included using a proscenium arch and sceneryusing a proscenium arch and scenery
He believed in an ideal of drama which He believed in an ideal of drama which became known as ‘neo-classical’became known as ‘neo-classical’
Neo-classical IdealsNeo-classical Ideals Neo-classical drama was very ordered Neo-classical drama was very ordered
and ideals or rules had to be followedand ideals or rules had to be followed Plays were either all tragedy or all Plays were either all tragedy or all
comedycomedy Tragedies: noble characters who were Tragedies: noble characters who were
based on royaltybased on royalty Comedies: ordinary, everyday peopleComedies: ordinary, everyday people The plays were written in 5 actsThe plays were written in 5 acts All action on stage took place within the All action on stage took place within the
same place and daysame place and day
The plot or storyline had to be simpleThe plot or storyline had to be simple The ending had to have a positive The ending had to have a positive
outcome, ie a happy endingoutcome, ie a happy ending Evil characters had to be punishedEvil characters had to be punished Good characters had to be rewardedGood characters had to be rewarded Plays that were performed in France Plays that were performed in France
and did NOT follow these neo-and did NOT follow these neo-classical guidelines were often classical guidelines were often disregarded or attackeddisregarded or attacked
The TheatresThe Theatres
The best places to perform these plays The best places to perform these plays was in a purpose built theatrewas in a purpose built theatre
These theatres had a proscenium archThese theatres had a proscenium arch In a proscenium arch theatre, the In a proscenium arch theatre, the
audience sits in front of the stageaudience sits in front of the stage The stage is framed within a border The stage is framed within a border
around the sides and across the top, around the sides and across the top, forming a picture frame effectforming a picture frame effect
When watching a play the audience When watching a play the audience was ‘looking into another world’was ‘looking into another world’
Proscenium arch stages became the Proscenium arch stages became the most popular form of stagemost popular form of stage
They are still popular todayThey are still popular today This sort of theatre is often referred This sort of theatre is often referred
to as ‘4to as ‘4thth wall’. Why? wall’. Why?
Famous Playwrights – Racine, Famous Playwrights – Racine, Corneille and MoliereCorneille and Moliere
Corneille and Racine were famous for Corneille and Racine were famous for their tragediestheir tragedies
Moliere (1622-1673)Moliere (1622-1673) Moliere was considered the Moliere was considered the
outstanding French playwright or the outstanding French playwright or the eraera
He wrote comediesHe wrote comedies Moliere had spent many years touring Moliere had spent many years touring
with his theatre companywith his theatre company
Moliere had spent many years Moliere had spent many years touring with his theatre companytouring with his theatre company
He learnt much from Commedia He learnt much from Commedia dell’arte troupesdell’arte troupes
Once established again in Paris, he Once established again in Paris, he worked at the Palais Royal Theatre worked at the Palais Royal Theatre with a variety of other companieswith a variety of other companies
Moliere ran his own companyMoliere ran his own company He also wrote the plays He also wrote the plays And acted in them!And acted in them!
French theatre companies like French theatre companies like Moliere’s were comprised of 10 – 20 Moliere’s were comprised of 10 – 20 membersmembers
This included musicians and This included musicians and backstage crewbackstage crew
Women actors were allowedWomen actors were allowed All profits were sharedAll profits were shared
TartuffeTartuffe
Tartuffe was one of Moliere’s most Tartuffe was one of Moliere’s most popular playspopular plays
It was religious satireIt was religious satire It attacked groups who spent their It attacked groups who spent their
time judging other people’s moralstime judging other people’s morals Tartuffe is still enjoyed todayTartuffe is still enjoyed today
Moliere’s whole life was theatreMoliere’s whole life was theatre His wife was an actress in his companyHis wife was an actress in his company Moliere wrote excellent female parts for her in Moliere wrote excellent female parts for her in
his playshis plays His company was immensely successfulHis company was immensely successful Moliere became very ill during a performance Moliere became very ill during a performance
of one of his plays “The Imaginary Invalid”of one of his plays “The Imaginary Invalid” He died only a few hours laterHe died only a few hours later His comedies were his greatest achievementsHis comedies were his greatest achievements
The StageThe Stage
The French adopted the proscenium The French adopted the proscenium arch stagearch stage
Fully indoor theatresFully indoor theatres
LightingLighting
Light was provided by candles and oil Light was provided by candles and oil lampslamps
Lighting included chandeliers and Lighting included chandeliers and footlightsfootlights
Audience lights were left on to help Audience lights were left on to help light up the stagelight up the stage
Lighting effects were very difficultLighting effects were very difficult Stage was not as well lit as todayStage was not as well lit as today
SceneryScenery
Simple and minimalSimple and minimal No scene changesNo scene changes Same settings used for many playsSame settings used for many plays Furniture and props were used sparinglyFurniture and props were used sparingly It was common for some audience to sit on It was common for some audience to sit on
stage!stage! On stage seating more expensiveOn stage seating more expensive Too disruptive and was abolished in the Too disruptive and was abolished in the
1750s1750s
The French ActorsThe French Actors
ProfessionalsProfessionals Earned their living from their craftEarned their living from their craft Companies had to make good money Companies had to make good money
just to survivejust to survive Shareholders bought shares or parts Shareholders bought shares or parts
in the companiesin the companies Shareholders were allowed to vote Shareholders were allowed to vote
on which plays were to be producedon which plays were to be produced
Each company had a set of plays it Each company had a set of plays it performed at different timesperformed at different times
Actors specialised in the type of role Actors specialised in the type of role they played, which were fairly they played, which were fairly stereotyped – bit like Commediastereotyped – bit like Commedia
Actors had to provide their own Actors had to provide their own costumes which was expensivecostumes which was expensive
Costumes were the contemporary Costumes were the contemporary dress of the timedress of the time