The EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment

1700s1700s

EuropeEurope

Many changes in EuropeMany changes in Europe

Less stable governmentsLess stable governments RevolutionsRevolutions ExplorationExploration ColonizationColonization

EnglandEngland

Sentimental ComedySentimental Comedy– More merchants attending playsMore merchants attending plays– Less bawdy comedy from RestorationLess bawdy comedy from Restoration– More sensible and sentimental playsMore sensible and sentimental plays– Rejected verbal wit and obvious satireRejected verbal wit and obvious satire– Focused on middle and upper class Focused on middle and upper class

characterscharacters

……More England…More England…

The Ballad Opera The Ballad Opera became popularbecame popular– The Beggar’s OperaThe Beggar’s Opera

(1728) John Gay(1728) John Gay

… … still more England…still more England…

Physical Theatre StructurePhysical Theatre Structure– Several new theatres builtSeveral new theatres built– Seating capacity was increasedSeating capacity was increased– Architectural structure of side boxes Architectural structure of side boxes

simplifiedsimplified– Shift from Baroque style Shift from Baroque style scenery to “Landscape Style” scenery to “Landscape Style” moonshine, fires, volcanoes, moonshine, fires, volcanoes, cut-outscut-outs

FranceFrance

Stagnant period after death of Stagnant period after death of MoliereMoliere

The Comedie-Francaise slipped into The Comedie-Francaise slipped into sentimental and melodramatic sentimental and melodramatic tragedies and comediestragedies and comedies

……More France…More France…

Voltaire – Francois- Voltaire – Francois- Marie Arouet de Marie Arouet de Voltaire(1694-Voltaire(1694-1778)1778)– Most dominant Most dominant

personality in personality in French theatreFrench theatre

– Returned to Classic Returned to Classic Greek principles – Greek principles – less romantic less romantic

……and again, France…and again, France…

Pierre de Pierre de BeaumarchaisBeaumarchais– The Barber of The Barber of

Seville (1775)Seville (1775)– The Marriage of The Marriage of

Figaro (1784)Figaro (1784)

French Revolution French Revolution at end of Century at end of Century turned attention turned attention away from Arts.away from Arts.

… … and Finally - Germanyand Finally - Germany

Determined attempt to develop a Determined attempt to develop a significant national theatre even tho significant national theatre even tho the political concept of Germany the political concept of Germany had not solidified – lack of stable had not solidified – lack of stable boundaries and capital citiesboundaries and capital cities

Writers in GermanyWriters in Germany

Gotthold Ephraim Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729-1781)Lessing (1729-1781)

Very influential, first Very influential, first dramaturgdramaturg

Hamburg National Hamburg National TheatreTheatre

Followed Classical Followed Classical models of Sophocles models of Sophocles and Shakespeareand Shakespeare

Johann Wolfgang Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-von Goethe (1749-1832)1832)

Faust Faust – Classic German Classic German

legendlegend– Protagonist makes Protagonist makes

a deal with the devil a deal with the devil for magical powersfor magical powers

The EndThe EndCopyright 2012Copyright 2012

Ms. Amy BirtcherMs. Amy Birtcher

Introduction to TheatreIntroduction to Theatre